The Metservice is forecasting heavy rain to spread into the area from East Cape down to northern Hawkes Bay later today (Monday), making for difficult conditions for farmers, trampers, and drivers.
A low forming over the area northeast of the North Island today is likely to deepen rapidly and move south,
placing it near East Cape tonight and Tuesday morning.
The Metservice says this will bring east to southeast gales and heavy rain to the northern Gisborne ranges this evening, then spreading as far south as the northern Hawkes Bay ranges overnight.
Approximately 100mm or more of rain is possible in the ranges in about a 12 hour period, and lesser but still heavy falls are likely nearer the coast.
The Metservice has also issued a heavy rain warning for the Ranges of Gisborne and the Hawkes Bay Ranges north of Napier.
For the north of Gisborne City, the Metservice says rain will set in from late this afternoon - becoming heavy this evening through to Tuesday morning, with east to southeast winds rising to gale in exposed places.
In the 12 hours from about 9pm today to 9am Tuesday, 100 to 120mm of
rain is possible. Heaviest falls are likely in the eastern hills with intensities 15mm per hour at times.
Rain should ease from late morning as winds turn more southerly.
For the ranges of Southern Gisborne and northern Hawkes Bay, in the 12 to 15 hours from about midnight tonight to Tuesday afternoon, rain is expected to become heavy at times.
The Metservice expects up to a 100mm is possible in the ranges from the Esk River to the Mahia Peninsula - in strong to gale southeast winds.
Peak intensities of 10 to 115mm per hour are likely in the morning.
