<p>SEVERE WEATHER WARNING.
ISSUED BY MetService AT 6:14 pm 17-Dec-2014
Heavy rain for the northeast of the North Island and also northwest Nelson
A moist northeasterly flow over the North Island today is bringing a period of heavy rain to the northeast of the North Island. The heaviest falls are expected about the Bay of Plenty and northern Gisborne, where a further 70 to 110mm could accumulate in a 6 to 9 hour period this evening and tonight, (this is on top of the rain which has already fallen during the day). Meanwhile, periods of heavy rain are expected to continue in northwest Nelson through to Thursday morning where a further 80mm could accumulate about the ranges. Heavy rain about the Coromandel Peninsula should ease early this evening, but another 20 to 40mm could accumulate there.
People are advised that streams and rivers are likely to rise rapidly, and heavy rain could cause surface flooding, slips and make driving hazardous.
HEAVY RAIN WARNING
AREA/S AFFECTED
Coromandel Peninsula
FORECAST
Heavy rain is expected to ease early this evening, but south of Whangamata another 20 to 40mm could accumulate between 6pm and 8pm. Peak intensities of around 20mm per hour are possible with thunderstorms.
AREA/S AFFECTED
Bay of Plenty west of Kawerau
FORECAST
Heavy rain is expected to ease this evening. In the 4 hours from 6pm to 10pm Wednesday, expect a further 40 to 80mm to accumulate on top of what has alreday fallen. Peak intensities of around 25mm per hour are possible with thunderstorms.
AREA/S AFFECTED
Remainder of Bay of Plenty (from Kawerau eastwards) and also Gisborne north of Ruatoria
FORECAST
Further heavy rain is expected this evening, then ease early Thursday morning. In the 8 hours from 6pm Wednesday to 2am Thursday, expect another 70 to 110mm to accumulate on top of what has already fallen. Peak intensities of around 25-30mm per hour are possible with thunderstorms.</p>