Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and western Bay of Plenty are in store for heavy rain over the weekend with the country's biggest city also expected to be battered by severe, possibly damaging gales.
MetService tonight issued a severe weather warning for these areas tomorrow and Sunday.
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A front is forecast to move southwards over the upper North Island tomorrow, preceded by heavy rain and easterly gales.
TVNZ weather presenter Dan Corbett gives the latest update. (Source: Other)
The heaviest falls are expected about Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula and western Bay of Plenty.
East to northeast gales could become severe in Auckland, with possible damaging gusts, especially in the evening, MetService says.
The heavy rain warning for Auckland, including Great Barrier Island, is for 10 hours from 1pm to 11pm Saturday.
The forecast is for 60 to 80mm, mainly north of the city, and peak rainfall intensities could exceed 25mm/hr in localised downpours north of Orewa.
MetService says the heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly, with surface flooding and slips also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.
Coromandel Peninsula and the Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane are forecast to get 100 to 120mm over the same period.
The strong wind warning for Auckland is from 11am tomorrow to 1am Sunday, with east to northeast severe gales gusting 120 km/h, or possibly more in exposed places.
The forecaster says strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures and driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
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