Heavy rain warning for part of East Coast

Photo / Doug Sherring

A heavy rain warning was issued tonight for northern Gisborne and the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

The MetService said a slow moving front was expected to lie over eastern Bay of Plenty and northern Gisborne overnight before moving away to the east tomorrow morning. A moist northerly flow ahead of the front was expected to bring heavy rain to Bay of Plenty, east of Opotiki, and Gisborne, north of Ruatoria, through to mid-morning.

"Another 50 to 70mm of rain is likely about the ranges, on top of the 100mm or more that has already fallen," said forecaster Andy Downs.

"People in these areas are advised that rivers and streams are likely to rise rapidly and that surface flooding and slips are possible."

Another front was forecast to cross the South Island tomorrow, followed by a trough at night.

"Both these features are expected to bring brief bursts of heavy rain to the ranges of Westland, Buller and western Nelson," Mr Downs said.

"At this stage, the rainfall amounts are expected to remain just below warning criteria, and a watch will be maintained. However, given the recent significant rain in these areas, these additional falls could still cause rivers and streams to rise quickly and add to possible slips."

North to northwest gales were also likely to develop over central New Zealand later tomorrow as a small low embedded in the broader trough crossed just to the south.

There was a risk that these winds could briefly reach severe gale about some exposed parts of Wairarapa, Wellington and Marlborough late Friday or early Saturday.

- NZPA