Heavy rain and squally thunderstorms are expected to move over the North Island from late this evening, according to MetService.
The forecaster said an active front moving in eastwards from the Tasman Sea from late Thursday to early Saturday would bring periods of heavy rain and possible squally thunderstorms.
"A rainband moves in from the Tasman, sweeping eastwards across Aotearoa New Zealand over the next couple of days bringing some areas of heavy rain. As this band passes, some strong gusts can be expected and even some possible thunderstorms," it said online.
Heavy rain watches and warnings were issued for Taranaki, Horowhenua, Kapiti, and Wellington from late Thursday evening.
MetService said the heavy rain would spread to central parts of the North Island on Friday morning, impacting Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taupō, and eastern Bay of Plenty.
In the Taranaki region, around 90mm to 120mm of rain was expected, and 150mm to 200mm around Taranaki Maunga between 11pm on Thursday and 7pm on Friday.
"Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible. Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously," MetService said.
The possibility of thunderstorms brought the risk of higher hourly accumulations and gusty winds for some areas as well.
MetService meteorologist Samkelo Magwala said the thunderstorms "could bring more localised impacts" even if there were no cracks of thunder.
"While there is plenty of rain about, it isn’t falling in the places that are the most in need at the moment. Many places in the east coast of the South Island had their driest May on record, and while a few spots of rain can be expected over the next few days, they likely won’t top up the tanks very much," he said.
Magwala said southerly winds would develop behind a cold front this weekend, resulting in colder temperatures and even some frosty conditions.
Looking ahead, he said scattered rain was expected as a cold front moved through the South Island on Sunday into Monday, affecting the southern and western regions of the South Island and spreading to the lower North Island late on Monday.
Full watches and warnings list
Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Bay of Plenty east of Whakatāne – 12 hours from 5pm Friday to 5am Saturday.
Taranaki north of Eltham – 20 hours from 11pm today to 7pm Friday.
Heavy Rain Watch
Bay of Plenty from Whakatāne westwards, Rotorua and Taupō – nine hours from 2pm Friday to 11pm Friday.
Waitomo, Taumarunui and Tongariro National Park – 18 hours from 3am Friday to 9pm Friday.
Horowhenua, Kapiti Coast, Wellington and the Tararua Range – 26 hours from midnight tonight to 2am Saturday.
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