Atmospheric river to continue bringing warm, wet air down from sub-tropics

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The Gisborne-East Cape region can expect more rain in the days ahead as an atmospheric river continues to drag warm, wet air down from the sub-tropics.

So far the weather has not produced any drama for the district, other than making the ground sloppy and keeping surface water lying around.

The top of the district has had significant rainfall over the past few days, but an Orange Heavy Rain Warning in place for north of Tokomaru Bay was lifted this morning.

Road travellers going through the Bay of Plenty need to be aware State Highway 2 between Taneatua and Nukuhou is closed due to multiple slips, with authorities warning people to stay off the roads if possible.

Taneatua and Ruatoki townships were isolated this morning and the schools closed.

The wider Whakatane area has had over 230mm of rain in the past day.

At the top of East Cape, Raukumara Station in the ranges has had almost 340mm in the past seven days — over 120mm in the 24 hours to 9am this morning.

Further south the Gisborne district has had much lesser amounts, from 30 to 60mm in the past seven days.

A large high pressure zone 1600km east of New Zealand has been blocking the bad weather from moving away.