By WeatherWatch Analyst Howard Joseph

Rain showers made their way across the North Island overnight.  The rain was mainly light to moderate.  However, much more is on the way.

MetService has expanded their Severe Weather Warning to include Northland.  This is because periods of heavy rain are possible, especially about the eastern hills north of Whangarei.  The main threat for this heavy rain would be from this morning until Friday morning.

Severe Weather Warnings are also in effect from midday today through until at least Saturday morning for the northern South Island.  This includes places like Nelson, already hit hard by flooding just 2 weeks ago.  Heavy rain is expected to move into Tasman and Marlborough by late this afternoon or this evening.  This could lead to rapid flooding of low lying areas as well as slips.  Driving could also become quite difficult.  MetService believes that rainfall itensities are likely to reach 10 to 20mm per hour at times and possibly 20 to 30mm per hour about the coastal hills and ranges of Golden Bay.  Rainfall totals could reach 200mm in the higher elevations and 150mm in the low lying areas by Saturday morning.

Heavy rain is also possible in and around Taranaki this afternoon through Saturday morning.  A Severe Weather Warning is in effect for this area from this afternoon through Saturday morning.  MetService says that rainfall totals up to 200mm are possible in the higher elevations and 100mm are possible in the low lying areas during the 48 hours between this afternoon and Saturday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Zelda Wynn