Our 8 Day Low continues to spit out rounds of unsettled weather.

Rain will be found across many parts of the country today.  But today, the focus will be on the North Island.  Specifically, the eastern regions of the North Island.  Government forecaster MetService has issued Heavy Rain Warnings for Gisborne, Hawkes Bay and the hills and ranges of the Tararua District.

WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters agree that heavy rain looks to be most likely in these areas, with the heaviest rainfall totals like to fall about Gisborne.  MetService estimates that 80-120mm could fall by this afternoon.  Localised amounts of 120 to 140mm are possible with peak intensities of 15-20mm per hour likely.

Heavy Rain Warnings are also up for the ranges of Nelson west of Motueka.  However, it’s likely that the threat for heavy rain here should end early this morning.

While heavy rain is not as likely, the potential for heavy rain exists about Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula, Rotorua, Wairarapa and Marlborough.

Many of these same areas will run the risk for additional heavy rain on Saturday.  However, at this time it appears to be a fairly low risk.

By WeatherWatch Analyst Howard Joseph