Summer rain Fresh lashing in store for top of North

Satellite image. Photo / NZH

Most of the country is beginning to dry out after a deluge of rain that saw some areas receive more than 250mm in 24 hours but the top half of the North Island is in for another hit.

MetService meteorologist Tom Bell said the worst of the wet weather was over for most but Northland was set for another day of rain and East Auckland could also get a lashing.

"The rain has generally eased for the North Island, apart from the heavy rain in the northern areas."

Last night a band of rain was travelling down across Northland and could reach East Auckland overnight and through the day, he said. Taranaki and the Coromandel Ranges were also expected to be doused again.

A high-pressure system to the east ensured the weather system was slow moving and would continue to hang around through to Saturday.

"It's a blocking high and weather systems can't go through it," Bell said.

The weather system was beginning to run out of energy, he said.

The South Island and southern parts of the North could expect showers, with fine breaks, moving toward the weekend.

Some areas had heavy rain yesterday. Happy Sams on the Anatoki River in Golden Bay near Nelson received 333mm of rain in 24 hours, while Mt Taranaki was doused with 250mm.

Heavy rain warnings were in place in Auckland until 6am today, and Northland and Taranaki until midday.

Today's forecast

• Whangarei: Rain, possibly heavy. NE. High 25C Low 20C
• Auckland: Rain easing to showers. NE. High 25C Low 20C
• Hamilton: Rain easing. NE. High 25C Low 17C
• Tauranga: Cloudy with occasional rain. N. High 24C Low 20C
• Wellington: Showers clearing to sunny spells. N. High 24C Low 18C