The rough weather over the North Island continues today as a low in the north squashes up against a large high in the south.

WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters say the high will today fight back which should see the winds easing but is likely to push the rain back up the east coast meaning heavy rain will linger in Hawkes Bay and is likely to return to Gisborne overnight tonight.

WeatherWatch.co.nz reader Alan Frame says over the past few days a total of 197mm has fallen at his home in Napier, almost three times the April average.

Here are the latest warnings as of 9:15am, issued by Metservice

Hawkes Bay

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: Hawkes Bay from Napier northwards Rain has eased over much of this area this morning, but is expect to spread north again this afternoon. Rain should continue through Thursday morning but become lighter and intermittent from Thursday afternoon. In the 28 hours from 8am Wednesday to midday Thursday expect a further 80 to 120mm rain. Rainfall rates may reach 15 to 20mm per hour about the ranges this evening and tonight. Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: Hawkes Bay south of Napier In the 24 hours from 8am Wednesday to 8am Thursday expect a further 80 to 120mm rain with the heaviest falls about the coastal hill country and the inland ranges. Rain should ease during Thursday morning. Rainfall rates may reach 15mm per hour at times about the ranges. Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: Tararua District from aboutDannevirke to Eketahuna In the 24 hours from 8am Wednesday to 8 am Thursday expect a further 60 to 90mm with the heaviest falls being about the eastern hill country. Rainfall rates may reach 15mm per hour this afternoon.

Wairarapa

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: Tararua District from about Dannevirke to Eketahuna In the 24 hours from 8am Wednesday to 8 am Thursday expect a further 60 to 90mm with the heaviest falls being about the eastern hill country. Rainfall rates may reach 15mm per hour this afternoon.

Taranaki

Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: Taranaki, Kapiti Coast, Wellington, Marlborough Sounds Southeast gales are expected to continue much of the day before slowly easing this evening. Although winds are not expected to be as strong as yesterday, but gusts of 110 km/h are still likely in exposed places until about 6pm today.

Wanganui

WARNINGS LIFTED

Manawatu

Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: Taranaki, Kapiti Coast, Wellington, Marlborough Sounds Southeast gales are expected to continue much of the day before slowly easing this evening. Although winds are not expected to be as strong as yesterday, but gusts of 110 km/h are still likely in exposed places until about 6pm today.

Horowhenua

Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: Taranaki, Kapiti Coast, Wellington, Marlborough Sounds Southeast gales are expected to continue much of the day before slowly easing this evening. Although winds are not expected to be as strong as yesterday, but gusts of 110 km/h are still likely in exposed places until about 6pm today.

Wellington

Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: Taranaki, Kapiti Coast, Wellington, Marlborough Sounds Southeast gales are expected to continue much of the day before slowly easing this evening. Although winds are not expected to be as strong as yesterday, but gusts of 110 km/h are still likely in exposed places until about 6pm today.

Marlborough

Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: Taranaki, Kapiti Coast, Wellington, Marlborough Sounds Southeast gales are expected to continue much of the day before slowly easing this evening. Although winds are not expected to be as strong as yesterday, but gusts of 110 km/h are still likely in exposed places until about 6pm today.