Heavy rain and strong winds continue to feed across New Zealand.

• A Red Heavy Rain Warning remains in place for eastern Northland into the early hours of Friday morning.

• Additionally, Severe Weather Warnings and watches are in place for other regions including the rest of Northland and across to the Bay of Plenty and the top of the South Island.

• The heaviest rain has been in eastern Northland where rainfall exceeded 200mm in the wettest parts of the region over the last 24 hours

A very wet and windy night has affected the top of the North Island, with over 200mm of rain recorded near Kerikeri. Strong northeasterly winds are also producing large waves on exposed northern and western coasts.

A Red Severe Weather Warning remains in force for parts of Northland, with heavy rain expected to continue through today and into Friday morning. Intense downpours and thunderstorms are possible before the rain gradually clears.

Red Warnings are the highest level issued by MetService, highlighting the risk of dangerous river conditions, significant flooding and slips, widespread travel disruption, and possible community isolation.

Severe Weather Warnings for rain and wind also cover Auckland, Coromandel, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. In the South Island, heavy rain driven in by strong northerly winds continues for Tasman, Marlborough, Westland Ranges, North Otago and eastern Canterbury south of Timaru.

Strong northeasterly winds may bring gusts up to 120km/h in exposed parts of the central North Island, Whanganui and Taranaki, with Strong Wind Watches also in place for Buller, coastal Westland, Banks Peninsula and coastal Dunedin.

“We’ve already seen significant impacts across Northland, and there is still more wind and rain to come,” says MetService Meteorologist John Law. “People should keep up with the latest forecasts and advice from local emergency management teams.”

Conditions ease briefly on Saturday, but another bout of wet and windy weather is expected on Sunday as a new system crosses the Tasman Sea.

Latest warnings and forecasts: www.metservice.com
Stay informed by downloading the MetService weather app and turning on notifications for the latest warnings.

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings (Localised Red Warning) – take cover now:

• This warning is a red warning for a localised area.
• When extremely severe weather is occurring or will do within the hour.
• Severe thunderstorms have the ability to have significant impacts for an area indicated in the warning.
• In the event of a Severe Thunderstorm Red Warning: Act now!

Red Warnings are about taking immediate action:

• When extremely severe weather is imminent or is occurring
• Issued when an event is expected to be among the worst that we get – it will have significant impact and it is possible that a lot of people will be affected
• In the event of a Red Warning: Act now!

Orange Warnings are about taking action:

• When severe weather is imminent or is occurring
• Typically issued 1 – 3 days in advance of potential severe weather
• In the event of an Orange Warning: Take action.

Thunderstorm Watch means thunderstorms are possible, be alert and consider action

• Show the area that thunderstorms are most likely to occur during the validity period.
• Although thunderstorms are often localised, the whole area is on watch as it is difficult to know exactly where the severe thunderstorm will occur within the mapped area.
• During a thunderstorm Watch: Stay alert and take action if necessary.

Watches are about being alert:

• When severe weather is possible, but not sufficiently imminent or certain for a warning to be issued
• Typically issued 1 – 3 days in advance of potential severe weather.
• During a Watch: Stay alert

Outlooks are about looking ahead:

• To provide advanced information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings
• Issued routinely once or twice a day
• Recommendation: Plan