Heavy rain warnings lifted

Heavy rain warnings are in place across the country. Photo / Mark Robinson

A deluge of rain and whipping winds continue across the country as many holiday makers return to reality.

MetService has this morning lifted heavy rain warnings for Manawatu, Wellington, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, Marlborough, Taihape, Wairarapa have been lifted as rain as eased, but more rain is on the way.

The southern Hawkes Bay area has been the worst hit, receiving up to 150mm of rain within 18 hours, MetService forecaster Gerard Barrow said.

He said the strong rainfall exceeded the criterion for a heavy rain warning, which was 100mm over a 24-hour period.

Mr Barrow advised rain-drenched areas to beware of possible slips, swollen rivers and surface flooding.

Gales were hitting central New Zealand from Taupo to Marlborough, and Mt Kaukau in Wellington was being battered by winds of up to 128km/h yesterday.

Mr Barrow said the gloomy weather would ease temporarily overnight, leaving a humid air mass in the place of rain today.

A second sizeable front bearing rain would arrive in the country from the Tasman Sea on about Wednesday, said Mr Barrow. "We're still looking at another period of unsettled weather."

The wet conditions are set to continue over the coming months. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) has predicted above-normal rainfall for the next three months in the North Island.

Fire services had to deal with a handful of weather-related calls. Scott Osmond, northern fire service shift manager, said firemen were called to three fallen trees. None were serious. No slips or water damage was reported.

Wellington fire service shift manager Murray Dunbar said he had had only 10 weather-related calls over a five-hour period, while southern fire service shift manager Andrew Norris said yesterday was especially quiet.

- with NZ HERALD ONLINE