MetService says a period of heavy downpours with the potential for thunderstorms is set to sweep across the North Island from this afternoon into tomorrow.
The forecaster said a low and associated fronts would move southwards across the North Island today, tonight, and during Thursday morning, bringing rain and gales to many areas.
An orange heavy rain warning was issued for Bay of Plenty, and Gisborne/Tairawhiti north of Tokomaru Bay from 4pm today, while a strong rain watch was issued for Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula.
Watch 1News' meteorologist Dan Corbett give a full breakdown of the wild weather on TVNZ+
MetService said there could be strong northeasterly winds with gusts of up to 100km/h in exposed places for many areas.
"The combination of strong turning winds with the risk of thunderstorms in the north means we could see localised damage," it said.
Up to 100mm of rain was forecast for areas subject to an orange warning, with peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected from this evening.
"Please note, rain eases from the west. Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning."
Full list of watches and warnings
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Bay of Plenty, and Gisborne/Tairāwhiti north of Tokomaru Bay – 17 hours from 4pm today.
Heavy Rain Watch
Northland – 12 hours from 10am to 10pm today.
Auckland and Great Barrier Island – 13 hours from 1pm today.
Coromandel Peninsula – 12 hours from 2pm today.
Strong Wind Watch
Northland – 7 hours from 4pm to 11pm today.
Auckland and Great Barrier Island – six hours from 6pm to midnight today.
Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato near the Kaimai Range, and Bay of Plenty west of Maketu – nine hours from 8pm today.
Rotorua, Bay of Plenty east of Maketu, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Taupō, Taihape, and Whanganui hill country – 10 hours from midnight.
Taranaki – 12 hours from 10pm today.
Wellington and Wairarapa – eight hours from 7am to 3pm tomorrow.
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