More rain on the way for soaked regions as severe weather warnings in place

Saturday, 24 March 2018

MetService severe weather warning

Heavy rain is on the way for parts of the country that have already been drenched in recent days.

A warning is in place Taranaki, Nelson and Buller as a front is forecast to move slowly east over the upper South Island and western parts of the North Island on Saturday.

Both Nelson and Taranaki have experienced heavy rain and flooding this week.

A heavy downpour in New Plymouth on Wednesday morning caused flooding around the city.

Periods of rain, with heavy falls and possible thunderstorms about Taranaki and the upper South Island, are due tonight through to Saturday evening, according to MetService.

**READ MORE:

A MetService chart showing the likelihood of rainfall over the weekend.

* Washout closes State Highway 1 in Far North

* Weather warning as morning downpour douses Nelson

Vanguard Street in Nelson flooded after heavy rain earlier this week.

* Heavy rain causes flooding throughout New Plymouth**

The MetService severe weather outlook for the weekend states: 'A broad area of low pressure covering the South Island is expected to move east over the weekend, bringing outbreaks of rain or showers to many parts of the country.

'The most persistent rain on Sunday is expected about the South Island West Coast and central North Island, with a moderate risk that accumulations will approach warning amounts about Bay of Plenty and northern parts of Taupo.'

Taranaki, mainly north of Opunake to Eltham, including the eastern ranges, should expect periods of heavy and thundery rain until Saturday evening.

During that time a further 100mm to 150mm is expected to fall, mainly north of Opunake to Eltham, including the eastern ranges. Peak intensities of 10mm to 20mm per hour are forecast, but 20mm to 35mm per hour in possible thunderstorms, especially on Saturday morning and afternoon.

In north-west Nelson and northern Buller, outbreaks of heavy northerly rain are predicted until Saturday morning. During that time, a further 60mm to 80mm about the ranges is expected, with lesser amounts elsewhere. Peak intensities of 10mm to 20mm in possible thunderstorms are forecast.

The front is expected to become slow moving over the North Island on Sunday.

It comes after heavy rain caused a 'significant' washout that closed State Highway 1 to Cape Reinga in Northland on Friday.