Much of the North Island continues to be drenched in a continuous rainfall, some of it quite heavy.  Some areas have seen rain for well over 24 straight hours.  Rain has also returned to the upper South Island.

Heavy rain warnings are in effect for Taranaki, The Tararau Range, the hill country of Waitomo, southern Waikato, the eastern ranges of the Bay of Plenty and about the Central Plateau.

Generally, peak rainfall rates of 15 to 20mm/hr are expected.  However, rates of 20 to 30mm/hr are possible this morning about Taranaki.

Periods of heavy rain are expected to ease by early afternoon for Taranaki.  The rest of the regions under the warnings will probably see periods of heavy rain through late afternoon.

On the South Island, whilst no warnings are in effect, caution should be used about the far upper regions as any additional rainfall is likely to aggravate problems caused by yesterday’s heavy rain.  Heavy rain is already diminishing and should completely end by late morning.

There is a risk for heavy and thundery falls for the western South Island this afternoon and evening.  Government forecaster MetService feels there is a low risk extending from Fiordland to Buller Bay.  The moderate risk runs from Fiordland to southern Westland.

By WeatherWatch Analyst Howard Joseph