Heavy rain expected to sweep across North Island

Heavy rain is expected to sweep across most of the North Island. Photo / Thinkstock

Auckland Civil Defence has warned short bursts of severe weather would coincide with a near king tide tonight in Auckland.

According to MetService, strong northerly winds were expected to build from 9pm, which could cause waves and possible flooding of some low lying coastal roads between 10.30pm and 12.30am.

In particular, low lying parts of Tamaki Drive, west of the Ngapipi Road intersection, were expected to be affected by waves and flooding, Civil Defence said.

It was also possible that waves might overtop the Tamaki Drive seawall in places, and transport agencies and police would monitor the situation, and close parts of Tamaki Drive if necessary.

Auckland Council stormwater operations and Civil Defence emergency management staff would also continue to monitor conditions this evening.

Civil Defence also warned motorists that surface flooding could make driving difficult, and encouraged those on the road to drive to the conditions.

WeatherWatch head analyst Philip Duncan said he expected traffic in Auckland tonight to be heavier than usual.

Meanwhile, motorists were urged to leave 15 to 20 minutes earlier tomorrow morning due to a forecast of heavy rain.

Motorists were also warned to watch for pockets of surface flooding on Auckland streets, highways and motorways, he said.

There was also a chance of some surface flooding for those in low lying areas.

"For most parts of Auckland it will just be more steady rain with some heavier falls."

Meteorologist Georgina Griffiths forecast a risk of localised downpours between about 11pm and 4am.

"Also, we expect a period of northerly gales overnight, most likely to be felt along the East Coast Bays, and the Eastern Bays," she said.

"This is a case of third time unlucky. This front has crossed the Auckland region twice already - last night moving north, today heading south, and overnight it is expected to invigorate as a low develops on it.

"But there's good news for tomorrow - the rain should clear by about dawn, and the City of Sails should have a "fairly decent day", Ms Griffiths said.

The heavy rain about the region this afternoon could cause headaches for commuters.

WeatherWatch head analyst Philip Duncan said he expected traffic in Auckland tonight to be heavier than usual.

Meanwhile, motorists were urged to leave 15 to 20 minutes earlier tomorrow morning due to a forecast of heavy rain.

Motorists were also warned to watch for pockets of surface flooding on Auckland streets, highways and motorways, he said.

There was also a chance of some surface flooding for those in low lying areas.

"For most parts of Auckland it will just be more steady rain with some heavier falls."

MetService meteorologist Chelsea Glue said a band of rain was currently moving over the North Island, and was expected to bring rain across the top end of the country tonight.

As a front spread down the North Island, a low was also forming, she said.

"The front will spread down south over the rest of the North Island and then the back end of it will actually spread east over the upper North Island this evening and into tonight.

"We've currently got a heavy rain warning out for some areas up north, so the ranges of the Bay of Plenty east of Whakatane."

Heavy rain was likely for these areas through until tomorrow afternoon, and between 100 to 130mm of rain was expected to accumulate, Ms Glue said.

"Rainfall rates could reach up to 20 to 30mm an hour for a time on Thursday. It's pretty bad at the moment, it's raining quite heavily there."

Heavy rain warnings were also in place for Northland, and while there would be some showers for the area today, rain was expected to get worse this evening, followed by a short period of very heavy rain overnight.

There were also heavy rain warnings in place for areas of the Bay of Plenty, Mt Taranaki, and the central North Island hill country between Te Kuiti and Raetihi.

"We've also got a severe weather watch for possible downpours in Auckland, Waikato and Coromandel. That's with the band coming eastwards overnight tonight."

In Auckland the rain was expected to get much heavier overnight. The were also gusty northeasterly winds forecast along with a high of 15C.

Tomorrow there was a chance of some heavy rain in the morning, before the skies cleared for much finer weather.

"It looks like the worst of it is going to be overnight, so it might be while everyone is sleeping."

Tomorrow's forecast

Whangarei: Early rain, chance heavy, then fine. Light winds. High 17C Low 9C

Auckland: Early rain, chance heavy, then fine. Light winds. High 16C Low 10C

Hamilton: Rain morning and night, chance heavy. Light winds. High 16C Low 6C

Tauranga: Heavy morning rain, then fine. Northerly dies out. High 17C Low 9C

Wellington: Early rain then fine spells. Southerly turn strengthening northerly. High 12C Low 8C

Christchurch - Mainly fine, evening high cloud. Northerlies. High 13C Low 1C

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