Northland weather: Downpours set to ease but linger into weekend

An example of the lightning Northlanders reported seeing last night. Photo / Andrew Warner

Northlanders were treated to a dazzling display last night as 400 lightning strikes flashed over the region.

MetService says thunderstorms are still a possibility for the region’s east coast today as yesterday’s stormy weather lingers.

Along with sonic booms and forks of lightning were torrential downpours - felt most in the Far North.

MetService duty forecaster Heath Gullery said the wettest place in Northland in the 24 hours to 4pm on Thursday was Kaikohe with 91mm of rain. During the same period, Kerikeri and Kāeo both recorded 70mm, Whangārei 38mm, Kaitāia 35mm and Dargaville, where most rain fell early in the morning, 30mm. 

Several places in Northland recorded peak intensities of 15-20mm of rain per hour, well above the 6mm/hr which is regarded as heavy rain. The greatest intensities were measured at Kāeo, which had 22.8mm between 11pm and midnight on Wednesday, with Kaikohe recording 17mm/hr from 6-7am on Thursday and Whangārei close behind with 15.8mm from 8-9am.

A heavy rain warning issued for the region has been lifted.

So far, none of the Northland’s three district councils have reported road closures due to flooding or slips.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency reported a slip on State Highway 12 near Dargaville which contractors were clearing this morning. A stop-go traffic system is in place.

A spokesperson said there were no issues in the Brynderwyns or Dome Valley.

The Whangaruru North Residents and Ratepayers Association reported Punaruku Rd - notorious for flooding in bad weather - was passable. However, He Puna Ruku Mātauranga O Whangaruru was closed.

State Highway 10 in Kāeo flooded overnight but the waters have since receded following high tide. Commuters this morning reported the road was passable but advised people to take care.

Motorists also announced the journey from Kerikeri to Whangārei was doable but warned there was a large amount of surface flooding and the rain was still “bucketing down”.

MetService meteorologist Andrew James said Northland would continue to see the wet weather continue into the weekend. However, the east coast is and will still bear the brunt of the low-pressure system responsible for the miserable conditions.

“As has been the case for the last few months,” he said.

“Looking ahead to today we are going to see those showers continue but things have eased off a bit,” James said.

By Saturday, the wet weather will have eased to produce a mostly fine day with a few showers expected in the afternoon and evening.

James said those conditions will last through to Sunday.

“So things will start drying out in the next couple of days but not completely.”