Heavy rain warnings and watches remain for the North Island on Friday as torrential downpours and the possibility of thunderstorms are on the cards.
MetService meteorologist Alwyn Bakker said it was the warm and humid conditions that were likely to generate the thunderstorms.
Places like Auckland, Kaitaia and Whangārei were set to reach 26C on Friday.
MetService meteorologist John Law told news outlet Stuff during the week that the northern and eastern coasts of the North Island were areas of concern following the deadly floods in January that soaked parts of the island. An orange heavy rain warning is in force for parts of Bay of Plenty and Gisborne/Tairawhiti from Friday night into Saturday morning.
The wet weather pattern was expected to run “particularly across the top of the country and to places like the eastern parts of the Bay of Plenty and up towards Tairawhiti, and perhaps the Wairoa district on Saturday,” he said.
MetService said streams and rivers may rise rapidly, and surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions were possible in areas under the heavy rain warning. It advised people to clear drains and gutters, avoid low-lying areas, and drive cautiously.
Severe weather warnings and watches
An orange heavy rain warning has been issued for Bay of Plenty east of Opotiki and Gisborne/Tairawhiti north of Tolaga Bay for 16 hours from Friday night and into Saturday.
Manawatu, Tararua District and Hawke’s Bay is under a heavy rain watch from 3pm Friday to 2am Saturday.
Places like Northland, Auckland (including Great Barrier Island), Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato and Waitomo are on a heavy rain watch from 9am to 10pm on Friday.
By 12pm Friday, Bay of Plenty from Opotiki westwards, including Rotorua would also be under a watch for 20 hours until 8am Saturday.
A heavy rain watch is in place for eastern hill-country of Taranaki, Taupō, Taumarunui, Taihape and Whanganui from 2pm Friday to 1am Saturday.
Gisborne/Tairawhiti from Tolaga Bay southwards is under a heavy rain watch for 15 hours from 9pm Friday to 12pm Saturday.
Friday’s weather
A front moving up the South Island was forecast to bring bursts of heavy rain to western areas on Friday.
This forecast for the Southern Alps and Arthur’s Pass region had led Coast to Coast race officials to make a rare change to the course, after deeming the iconic Goat Pass crossing unsafe to traverse this weekend.
An alternative mountain run route will be put into action, as just the sixth course change in the race’s 44-year history.
Meanwhile, Christchurch was expected to hit 27C with a few showers in the morning and Dunedin 22C.
“We still have a couple of days of warmer temperatures and high humidity ahead of us, but things are set to change this weekend as cooler air pushes in from the south.”