Northland could be in for a battering today and tomorrow with heavy rain and winds of up to 130km/h forecast for the region and the likelihood of flooding.
The region's councils are on high alert, with the foul weather having the potential to bring down trees, flood and block roads and endanger the public.
MetService meteorologist John Law said a low is forecast to approach northern New Zealand during today, bringing heavy rain and strong easterly winds.
Mr Low said 120-160mm of rain is expected about the eastern hills of Northland from about midday today to midday tomorrow, with locally intense falls possibly exceeding 25mm per hour for a time. As well, winds of up to 130km/h could start battering parts of the region from this afternoon and continue into tomorrow, he said.
"Rivers and streams are likely to rise rapidly and surface flooding and slips are possible. Easterly gales are also expected to develop over Northland from late Tuesday morning, with gusts of 130km/h. Winds of this strength have the potential to damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures, and with the combination of heavy rain make driving conditions hazardous." Further rain and strong winds are expected in Northland tomorrow into Thursday morning but should be of lesser intensity, he said.