North Island warned severe downpours in wake of Cyclone Debbie

The entire North Island is about to be put on high alert with heavy rains set to saturate most regions.

Central New Zealand is being warned to prepare for floods as a deluge heads our way. Some parts will get three times April's average rainfall in just 48 hours.

Niwa says the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Debbie are threatening to develop into a serious situation in the next 72 hours.

MetService is about to release a swathe of weather warnings that will extend across the next few days. Virtually no region in the North Island will escape the potentially damaging impact of the torrential rains. It was also affect districts in the north-east of the South Island.

Still looking at a wet week for the NI and northeast of the SI. First warnings out in an hour. https://t.co/Yjbq0jxdqz ^Cam pic.twitter.com/ZCxEwdfgMI

— MetService (@MetService) April 2, 2017

Rain is already falling across the country but the worst is reserved for coming days.

Forecaster Ben Noll said there were worrisome trends in models projecting huge rainfall and possible flooding across the lower North Island.

For some the #TropicalTorrent may drop 2-3 times the normal rainfall for the entire month of April in just 2-3 days. https://t.co/bkVlkosV13

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) April 2, 2017

The tail end of the destructive cyclone, which has claimed lives across Queensland and New South Wales, was expected to dump double Wellington's entire average April rainfall in 48 hours.

A #TropicalTorrent is headed for #NewZealand next week 🌧🌬

Downpours & flooding possible: New Plymouth/Whanganui/#Wellington/Tasman & more: pic.twitter.com/laDk1iEpXQ

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) March 31, 2017

MetService said the worst weather was reserved for Tuesday and Wednesday with heavy falls across central New Zealand. There would also be strong southeasterly winds that could turn into destructive gales.

WeatherWatch.co.nz said central regions around or near Cook Strait, and those facing towards the Tasman Sea such as Nelson and Taranaki, were at risk of flooding.

Heavy rain would start falling as early as this evening in Taranaki and last until Thursday.

The region could see up to 250 mm in the next few days exceeding the average rainfall for the month.

The bad weather was likely to move on to the South Island on Wednesday and clear on Thursday.

MetService said there was still some uncertainty regarding which areas would get the worst rain and strongest winds.

At this stage Taranaki through to Nelson would have exceptionally heavy rain, while
Manawatu to Nelson would be pounded by strong gales.

There had been no warnings issued at this stage but the forecaster said the impact was likely to be large and people were urged to keep up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings and take precautions.