Rain sets records - and more to come

Parts of the lower North Island have had their wettest July on record -- and there's more rain on the way.

MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said the reason for all the rain was that over the past few weeks, low-pressure systems had been crossing the North Island.

"Later this week we are forecasting a repeat of this pattern, and our severe weather outlook maps are already indicating the possibility of more rain for the eastern North Island on Thursday and Friday," he said.

The southeastern end of the North Island had been taking the brunt of the recent rain.

"The whole region from Wairarapa to Wanganui and around Wellington is now suffering from soggy soil syndrome, whereby even a small amount of rain produces ponding and slippage," Mr McDavitt warned.

Two MetService rain stations have already seen their wettest-ever July.

Up until noon today Ngawi, near the southeast tip of the North Island, had recorded 291mm for the month, well exceeding its previous wettest July of 205mm in 1994. In the same period, East Taratahi, near Masterton, recorded 199mm, beating its previous wettest July of 176mm in 1996. Records have been kept at Ngawi since 1987 and at East Taratahi since 1982.

The heavy rain has caused flooding and slips throughout the southern North Island during the past two weeks.

- NZPA