Steady rain has returned to water logged Nelson and rain is now covering much of the North Island as we head into Thursday afternoon reports WeatherWatch.co.nz. 

Latest satellite images confirm significant rain clouds remain to the north of Nelson and are being fed into the area by a northerly flow.

The front has all but stalled over central New Zealand but in the past few hours has eased over much of Northland and Auckland although gusty winds remain around Auckland prompting a message to drivers to take care over the Harbour Bridge in gusts.

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In Auckland minor floods have caused a few issues with the motorways slowing to a crawl at times on the northern motorway and earlier today the nor’western.  Other highways and motorways have also had especially heavy traffic this morning.

Last night WeatherWatch.co.nz advised Aucklanders and local Civil Defence authorities about the significant risk of small slips and rock falls around coastal cliffs.  That message is being repeated today and WeatherWatch.co.nz says the public should take extra care over the next days as the ground may be unstable.

There are no current concerns for any serious landslides in the Auckland area.

Heavy rain has eased in a number of parts of Auckland City but heavy downpours are likely in some areas until the end of the day while other areas have drizzle or light rain and blustery winds at times.

Meanwhile rain has set in across much of the North Island and has returned again to Nelson, with heavier bands of rain coming in now and over the next few hours.

WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst Philip Duncan says more flooding and slips are possible across the North Island and top of the South Island this afternoon.  “We don’t expect to see what happened in Nelson repeat itself elsewhere but there is still the risk of localised surface and flash flooding across most northern and western regions of the North Island and about Nelson and Marlborough in the South Island”.

The risk for Northland remains south of the Bay of Islands now.  In Kaeo the river has come up to levels that could flood State Highway 10 according to the Northland Regional Council.  Heavy rain in that area has now eased.

Mr Duncan earlier advised the public to be vigilant of conditions around them.  “If you have a small creek near your home or under your driveway, or cliffs around your house, just be aware of how they’re getting on this afternoon.  If you’re concerned about the worst, then plan for it now so you can make a safe evacuation of your property if need be”.

WeatherWatch.co.nz believes the worst of the wet weather will ease for most places by tonight but was likely to remain across north eastern parts of the North Island, mainly eastern and southern Bay of Plenty, East Cape and Gisborne.

We’ll continue to monitor conditions and will update again this afternoon.

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