North Island set for soaking

File photo / Sarah Ivey

Parts of the North Island are set for a soaking today, with up to 140mms of rain expected to fall in some areas.

MetService forecaster Gerard Barrow said a trough of low pressure is slowly moving across the North Island today before moving north tomorrow.

"A warm, moist northwest flow is bringing periods of heavy rain to many central and southern North Island areas, as well as to northern parts of the South Island," Mr Barrow said.

He said some areas would get between 80 and 140mms of rain, which would cause streams and rivers to rise.

Mr Barrow said the central North Island, including Tokoroa and Taupo could expect between 60 and 120mms of rain. Further south, the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges would also experience heavy falls.

He said up to 120mms would fall in the Taranaki and a similar amount in the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges.

Parts of the South Island are also in for heavy falls tomorrow morning with the Nelson Ranges expecting 100mms in 24 hours, while 80mls is expected in 15 hours in the Buller Ranges to the west.

- NZHERALD STAFF