Rain continues to make its way across the Tasman early this afternoon.  Central New Zealand is already experiencing some of that rain.  Pockets of heavy rain are also being reported, especially around Wellington.

As we head through this afternoon, heavy rain is likely to continue about the upper South Island and lower North Island.  Some thundery falls are also possible.

Heavy rain is possible late this afternoon and this evening about the western North Island from just north of Auckland, south through to Taranaki.  Thunderstorms are also possible.

More heavy rain will be likely about the western South Island tonight and the deep south tomorrow morning.

Government forecaster MetService has currently has the following warnings in effect:

North Island

• Tararua Range- Bursts of heavy rain are expected during the weekend, with possible thunderstorms from late Saturday. In the 36 hours from 9am Saturday to 9pm Sunday, expect 200 to 300mm about the higher ranges and 100mm about lower western slopes.

• Mt. Taranaki– Bursts of heavy rain are expected during the weekend, with possible thunderstorms from late Saturday. In the 36 hours from 9am Saturday to 9pm Sunday, expect 200 to 300mm about higher slopes and 100mm about lower north-western slopes.

• The central North Island high country from inland Taranaki across to Mt. Ruapehu and up to southern Waikato including the headwaters of the Whanganui river– Bursts of heavy rain are expected during the weekend, with possible thunderstorms from late Saturday. In the 36 hours from 10am Saturday to 10pm Sunday, expect around 100mm about the hills and ranges and up to 200mm about the higher slopes of Mt Ruapehu.

South Island

• Westland south of Otira– Bursts of heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected through to Sunday morning. In the 21 hours from 9am Saturday to 6am Sunday, expect a further 80 to 100mm of rain about the ranges. Rates could reach of 10 to 20mm per hour today, especially in any thunderstorms.

• The headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers- Significant rain is likely untl tonight possibly accompanied by thunderstorms. In the 15 hours from 9am to midnight Saturday, expect another 50 to 80mm of rain about the Main Divide, with over 30mm within 20km east of the Divide.

• The headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers- Bursts of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms are expected through to early Sunday morning. In the 21 hours from 9am Saturday to 6am Sunday, expect a further 80 to 100mm of rain about the Main Divide, with over 40mm within 20km east of the Divide.

• Ranges of Northwest Nelson, Buller and Westland north of Otira- Bursts of heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected through to Sunday, initially in a strong north to northwest flow, but turning west to northwest this evening. In the hours 24 hours from 9am Saturday to 9am Sunday, expect a further 100 to 120mm of rain about the ranges on top of what has already fall. Peak rates of 15 to 25mm per hour can be expected this morning, especially in any thunderstorms.

• The Richmond Range and Marlborough Sounds, including the Rai Valley- In the 12 hours from 9am to 9pm Saturday, expect a further 50 to 80mm of rain on top of what has already fallen. Peak rates should be this morning and early afternoon, when they are likely to reach 10 to 20mm per hour for a time.

Homepage image/ Howard Joseph

By WeatherWatch.co.nz Analyst Howard Joseph