Flood warning: Heavy rain, high wind lashes entire country

Heavy rain are in place warnings for central and southern parts of New Zealand. Photo / Twitter

Rain over much of the country is expected to continue though the day and rain and gale warnings are in place for many areas.

Good morning. It's raining across much of the country this morning, and is expected to continue raining most of the day in many places https://t.co/prKU7O2R01 ^PL pic.twitter.com/ypcfZxQbDk

— MetService (@MetService) December 16, 2019

Heavy rain are in place warnings for central and southern parts of New Zealand.

Mount Taranaki, Nelson and Northern Marlborough are expected to see the worst of the rain, with between 130 and 150mm. Downpours could cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly and surface flooding.

A heavy rain watch is in place for the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, North Otago, Canterbury, Westland and Buller.

Gale warnings are in place around most of the country. Winds of 35 knots gusting 50 knots are expected in some areas by late afternoon and early evening

"A low over the Tasman Sea moves across central New Zealand on Tuesday, bringing rain to many areas," MetService says.

"An associated front brings a period of heavy northerly rain to exposed regions from Buller to East Cape.

"Meanwhile, as the low approaches and crosses central New Zealand, a period of southeasterly rain is forecast for eastern parts of the South Island."

A wild weather day is expected on Tuesday with 🌧️, ⛈️ and 🌬️ impacting much of NZ. Some of the heaviest rain will likely fall in Taranaki and Bay of Plenty - watch for localised flooding and remember to never drive through standing water.

NIWA’s high-resolution forecast 👇 pic.twitter.com/y3bIBv8ak6

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) December 16, 2019

Efforts to find two remaining bodies on Whakaari/White Island have been hampered by poor weather this morning.

A Police Eagle helicopter left the mainland about 5.45am to carry out another aerial search of Whakaari/White Island, but was forced to turn back.

"Conditions are being assessed to determine the viability of a second attempt by Eagle or a shoreline search by [a] boat later this morning," police said.

The Police National Dive Squad will not be in the water today, the statement said.