Rain warnings are now in force for Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Rotorua as a sub-tropical low slowly moves towards New Zealand.

Gale force winds have quickly picked up this morning caused by the squash zone of air pressure between the incoming northern low and a very solid high over the rest of New Zealand.

However Metservice has today significantly scaled back their rainfall prediction for Northland, now almost forecasting half the amount they were warning of yesterday.

The latest warning predicts up to 120mm for the eastern hills of Northland between noon today and noon Monday.  On Saturday the prediction was for 200mm over a 40 hour period.

However 120mm is still high and could still cause slips, flooding and some road closures if it falls over a fairly short period and WeatherWatch.co.nz still advises Northlanders who live in flood prone areas to be prepared.

Rain totals of up to 150mm are being predicted by the government forecaster for Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty and following recent heavy rains WeatherWatch.co.nz says slips, flooding and road closures are all highly possible during Monday.

WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters say even though the low is coming in from the north it may be the South Island that has the heaviest rain, with the low expected to be guided around the high over the North Island today and tomorrow then cross the South Island during the middle of the week.

Official Rain warnings as of 10:30am

Northland

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: Northland In the 24 hours from about midday Sunday to midday Monday, expect up to 120mm of rain in the eastern hills. Peak intensities of 15mm per hour at times. Lesser amounts are expected elsewhere.

Coromandel

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: Coromandel Peninsula In the 36 hours from 9pm Sunday to 9am Tuesday, expect up to 150mm in the hills. Heaviest falls on Monday with intensities up to 15mm per hour at times.

Bay Of Plenty

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: Bay of Plenty In the 36 hours from 3am Monday to 3pm Tuesday, expect up to 150mm of rain in the hills. Heaviest falls overnight Monday to Tuesday, with intensities up to 15mm per hour. There could be further heavy falls after 3pm Tuesday. 

Rotorua

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: Bay of Plenty In the 36 hours from 3am Monday to 3pm Tuesday, expect up to 150mm of rain in the hills. Heaviest falls overnight Monday to Tuesday, with intensities up to 15mm per hour. There could be further heavy falls after 3pm Tuesday.