Weather watchers are keeping a close eye on Northland's sky, hoping that expected heavy rain does not cause major flooding around the region.
The MetService yesterday issued a heavy-rain warning for Northland, saying up to 150mm of rain might fall in some areas, especially the inland and eastern hills from the
Bay of Islands southward, until midnight tonight
Yesterday heavy rain caused surface flooding in parts of the region, particularly in the Far North, after up to 80mm of rain fell in the 24 hours to noon.
However, Northland Regional Council hydrologist Dale Hansen said if the expected heavy deluge came today, flooding was likely in many areas around the region.
The heavy-rain warning was issued because of a slow-moving front meandering over Northland, while a strong moist north-easterly flow covered the northern part of the North Island.
Periods of heavy rain were expected today, especially from the Bay of Islands southward. Up to 150mm of rain could fall in some places, the MetService said.
Rainfall rates might reach 25-35mm an hour at times in thunderstorms, it added.
Said Mr Hansen, "There will likely be some flooding around the region if that rain comes through. But we don't know exactly what's going to happen."
Land around the Northern Wairoa River was likely to be hit with flooding as it was a flood-prone area, particularly if the river level was running high, as was the case following earlier heavy rain.
Parts of the Bay of Islands, the area around Kaeo and the eastern ranges south of the Bay of Islands were also likely to experience some flooding today if the skies opened to the extent the MetService had predicted.
However, Mr Hansen said Whangarei's central business district was unlikely to be flooded by the heavy rain.
"When you look at the previous floods in Whangarei it's generally been when we've had between 200 and 300mm of rain in a 24-hour period, but we are not expecting that much," he said.
"But we will be keeping a close eye on things."
The last significant flooding in Northland occurred between February 27 and 29 last year when New Zealand was battered by the aftermath of Cyclone Ivy, which devastated Vanuatu.
On that occasion up to 200mm fell in parts of Northland in two days.
