Gales, rain, slips - that's our weekend weather

Photo / Dean Purcell

Heavy rain is expected to batter the North Island for most of the weekend, and forecasters are warning of possible flooding in the Bay of Plenty and slips north of Auckland.

MetService expects at least 100mm of rain tomorrow as a slow-moving low parks itself over the island.

Weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said that after a few showers this morning, "the more serious stuff" would hit today in Northland, Auckland and the Bay of Plenty.

"It will be welcome for some after a dry spell in a few areas, but it will be heavy."

Blustery northeasterly winds which hit Auckland this week are expected to return. A gale-force wind warning has been issued for the Hauraki Gulf, and conditions on land are expected to be gusty today and tomorrow.

Temperatures in the North Island are likely to be mild. A high of 16C is expected in Auckland.

Weatherwatch analyst Philip Duncan said the deluge could cause problems for areas exposed to north or northeasterly winds.

"The rain bands are likely to move directly into the Bay of Plenty region," he said. "With heavy rain over a prolonged period, that increases the chances of surface - and more serious - flooding."

Mr Duncan said landslips could also be a problem in slip-prone areas of Northland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and East Cape.

Rain should subside on Sunday, with a few showers remaining.

A change in wind direction could bring warmer, drier weather on the eastern side of the North Island. Cooler, cloudier weather is forecast to continue in the west.

DANGER AREAS

Northland: Gale-force winds, heavy rain, possible slips.
Auckland, Coromandel: Prolonged heavy rain.
Bay of Plenty: Possible flooding.
Taupo: Prolonged, heavy rain.