Heavy rain set to batter Northland

Heavy rain and gales are set to batter Northland with up to 150mm falling in the hills around the Bay of Islands between Friday morning and the end of Saturday.

Metservice forecaster Mark Pascoe said a northeast flow was bringing humid air from the subtropics.

He said the heavy rain would force streams and rivers to rise quickly.

The rain would be welcomed by farmers, said Federated Farmers far North president Denis Anderson.

"We always welcome rain at this time of year, it's getting a bit dry," Mr Anderson said.

He said the first 75 - 100mm would be welcome but anymore on top of that would not be necessary.

Mr Anderson said most areas hadn't had any rain for the last two weeks.

- NZHERALD STAFF