Multiple severe weather warnings have been issued as the upper North Island faces periods of persistent, intense rainfall, with more widespread rain expected to spread south from tomorrow.
MetService said a strong and humid easterly flow would bring downpours to the upper North Island on Tuesday, while bands of heavy rain would spread south on Wednesday.
Northland, and the Coromandel Peninsula had existing heavy rain warnings extended through until Thursday, while the Bay of Plenty including Rotorua and Gisborne north of Tokomaru Bay were added to the list.
A heavy rain watch was in place for Auckland and Great Barrier Island for 42 hours from 9am today, with a high chance of being upgraded to a warning, while watches for Tasman, Canterbury, and Westland begin from midday on Wednesday.
A low-pressure system originating from the tropics moves towards New Zealand from tomorrow, with MetService saying its path and strength was "very uncertain".
An already saturated Northland faces more than 40 hours of heavy rain, with MetService saying 60 to 80mm was expected between 9am and 9pm today, along with "downpours of 25 to 40mm an hour" which could occur with or without thunderstorms.
A further 120 to 160mm was forecast from 1am Wednesday to 1am Thursday, with more heavy bursts possible.
Northpower reported more than 200 customers without power as of 9.30am after falling trees downed powerlines overnight.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has warned motorists to drive to the conditions across the Auckland Harbour Bridge with wind gusts of 75-85km/h forecast between 7am and 8pm today.
"The bridge will remain in 4x4 configuration throughout the day,” a spokesperson said, adding that the speeds on the bridge were limited to 70km/h.
"Motorists are advised pay attention to electronic message boards on the motorway, which will advise if any lane closures and reduced speed limits are required.
"If there is a potential for sudden and high wind gusts on the bridge, lowering the speed limit gives motorists time to react and take more care."
Full list of weather warnings and watches
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Northland – 41 hours from 9am Tuesday to 2am Thursday
Coromandel Peninsula – 45 hours from 9am Tuesday to 6am Thursday
Bay of Plenty including Rotorua – 20 hours from 1pm Wednesday to 9am Thursday
Gisborne north of Tokomaru Bay – 18 hours from 3pm Wednesday to 9am Thursday
Heavy Rain Watch
Auckland and Great Barrier Island – 42 hours from 9am Tuesday to 3am Thursday
Tasman – 21 hours from noon Wednesday to 9am Thursday
Canterbury – 19 hours from 6pm Wednesday to 1pm Thursday
Westland – 18 hours from 3pm Wednesday to 9am Thursday
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a spate of shark attacks, more bad weather to come, and Prince Harry’s back at court. (Source: 1News)
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