Weather: MetService issues heavy rain watch for central North Island

A burst of heavy rain is set to hit the central North Island overnight with the possibility of thunderstorms.

MetService has issued a heavy rain watch for Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui and Taupō with heavy downpours expected between 1am and 8am Monday and possible thunderstorms.

There is a low risk of localised downpours, with rainfall rates ranging between 25-35mm per hour.

But MetService said there’s a moderate chance the amount of rainfall will meet warning criteria.

Meteorologist Silvia Martino said while there might not be a large accumulation of rain, the central North Island may see very heavy rain in a short span of time.

Martino said the upper North Island will also experience a burst of heavy rain.

This comes after a week of extreme downpours and strong winds that wreaked havoc across the country, causing evacuations and leaving thousands without power.

Areas like Kaitāia and Kerikeri recorded more than one month’s rainfall in just a few days.