More heavy rain ahead

It will be a wet start to the weekend with heavy rain expected in parts of the North Island, possibly leading to surface flooding and slips.

MetService said a slow-moving low to the west was directing a moist east to northeast flow over the country, bringing rain to many eastern places.

Localised heavy falls were forecast, particularly around the Coromandel and western Bay of Plenty today, Forecaster Andy Downs said.

With rain already falling in those areas earlier this week, there were concerns the ground would be saturated.

"Then things like surface water and slips could eventuate," Downs said.

MetService issued a severe weather watch for the Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Wairarapa and Marlborough.

Moderate to heavy rainfalls were possible in Marlborough and the Kaikoura ranges where through to tonight.

For Wairarapa, significant falls were forecast, and in the Coromandel and western bay of Plenty heavy falls were also expected today.

A rainfall warning was in place for the hills and ranges of Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, the Tararua District and the ranges of northwest Nelson.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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