North Island flood warning

Parts of the North Island are being warned to brace for possible slips and surface flooding as a low brings rain to much of the country today.

The MetService said the low over the Tasman Sea was expected to cross the lower North Island this afternoon, with a fast-moving front bringing a burst of heavy rain.

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The forecaster has issued a heavy rain warning for Taranaki, Tongariro National Park, the Kaimanawa mountains and the ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty.

The rain in those areas was likely to be short-lived, but with 60 to 90mm expected in some places, there was a possibility of surface flooding, slips and fast-rising streams and rivers.
The low would also bring strong to gale northwesterlies in exposed parts of Wairarapa and central Hawkes Bay, south of Hastings, from tonight.

The winds should ease in Wairarapa tomorrow morning and in Hawkes Bay in the early afternoon.

Auckland can expect northwesterlies and occasional rain easing this afternoon.

In Wellington, developing rain should clear by the evening, with a strong northerly expected.

In the South Island, another front would bring further heavy rain to Westland this afternoon.
Christchurch and Dunedin will have southwesterlies and periods of rain, some heavy in Christchurch.