Rain or showers continue to fall this morning over the upper part of the North Island.  This includes Northland as well as the Coromandel Peninsula, Auckland and the Waikato.

Rain is expected to become more widespread as we go through the day.  By this afternoon, much of the North Island will have the risk for precipitation, even though not every one will be getting wet.  Aside from the upper North Island, the precipitation will be more of the “hit and miss” variety.  In fact, it will be so muggy today that even when it’s not raining, the muggy air will make it feel like it’s about to rain at any time today.

The upper North Island will see areas of heavy rain today.  Heavy rain continues to be a threat for today about Northland.  But WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters believe the threat for actual flooding remains fairly low.

However, Government forecaster MetService believes both much of the upper part of the North Island will likely see widespread heavy rain.  For that reason they have issue Heavy Rain Warnings for Northland, Auckland (north of Whangaparoa), Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula.

WeatherWatch.co.nz and MetService forecasters both agree that rain will increase in both areal coverage and intensity late this morning and into this afternoon.

By Howard Joseph, WeatherWatch.co.nz