A narrow area of rain is today crossing the North Island and will stall over the East Cape/Gisborne region, then intensify later on Saturday and early Sunday thanks to a sub-tropical system nearby.

Rain may fall for the next three days in generally the same area with totals exceeding 200mm around the Raukumara Forest Park / Gisborne Ranges area with some spillover into the waterways of eastern Bay of Plenty too.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says on top of the heavy rain, strong nor’easters and dangerous beach conditions will also prevail in the east. Slips, power cuts and road closures are all very possible in the north eastern corner of the North Island this weekend and WeatherWatch.co.nz advises travellers to be prepared for problems and for locals to have emergency kits with enough food and drinking water for three days per person in case some people are cut off for a few days.

Next week rain starts to ease as westerlies kick back in again, making for drier weather in the east. 

– WeatherWatch.co.nz