A road is closed in the Coromandel this morning after a deluge of rain, including one station recording 80mm over the past 12 hours.
Early this morning, MetService said a severe thunderstorm was detected in Northland, and the warning lifted shortly before 7am.
"Around 20mm of rain fell in one hour at Purerua and surrounding areas, replacing morning alarms for some," the forecaster said in a post online.
Thames-Coromandel District Council said the 309 Road would be closed overnight "due to floodwaters at the Whitianga end of the road not receding enough to allow safe passage".
In an update this morning the council said the road remained closed, and MetService said one station in the Coromandel Ranges recorded 80mm of rain over the past 12 hours.
MetService also said an active heavy rain watch for Bay of Plenty expired at 9am today.
An orange heavy rain warning remained in place for Gisborne Tairāwhiti north of Tolaga Bay until 8pm tonight.
"Remember, we issue a Heavy Rain Watch when there is a risk that streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions are also possible," a MetService spokesperson said.
MetService meteorologist Heather Keats said there was a front that would move up over the South Island over the weekend. (Source: Breakfast)
An earlier severe thunderstorm warning issued for the Far North and Whangārei this morning has been lifted, as MetService said shortly before 7am that "rain intensities have eased".
"Some heavy rain is still expected but the threat of torrential rain has passed."
Meteorologist Maddy Neal said people should still drive carefully.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including new footage of an armed man running into Sylvia Park, a train derails in the UK, and a Brisbane supermarket fight caught on camera. (Source: 1News)
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