Heavy rain will continue to drench many areas of the North Island today, as one state highway is inundated by floodwaters. 

Heavy downpours kicked off yesterday afternoon as two weather systems converged to drag an atmospheric river down to New Zealand. 

Streams and rivers were expected to rise rapidly, surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions were also possible, MetService warned yesterday. 

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said flooding has been reported on SH25 from Whitianga to Tairua, in the Coromandel Peninsula. 

“Consider delaying travel or be prepared to detour.” 

MetService meteorologist John Law said Auckland was in for an early morning drenching. 

“It’s going to be one of those interesting situations as we wake up. Auckland could find it’s a wet start to the day. Everything is moving eastwards,” he said. 

Heavy falls kicked off yesterday afternoon as two weather systems converged. Photo / Michael Craig 

He told the Herald the last place to see the rain clear away today would be areas like the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel. 

“As we head through Wednesday, we’ll find the weather starts to move away. 

“For Northland, Auckland, the rain should start to clear off as we head in towards the afternoon. Perhaps even a bit of brightness or some sunshine back,” Law said. 

Heavy falls kicked off yesterday afternoon as two weather systems converged. Photo / MetService 

He said tomorrow and into Friday was looking to be much better as the rain begins to clear away for most regions. 

Law said MetService was keeping a close eye on the weather in the Bay of Plenty and the northern part of Gisborne/Tairāwhiti throughout today. 

MetService meteorologist John Law says Auckland is in for an early morning drenching. Photo / Michael Craig 

‘Intense bursts’ to continue for some 

He said the northern parts of the country were expected to see downpours overnight that will continue for some this morning and into the afternoon. 

“It’s not just the case that it’s wet, but there’s also that risk of some intense bursts of rainfall, some downpours.” 

Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly Niwa) forecaster Chester Lampkin earlier told the Herald an area of low pressure in the Tasman Sea and a cold front coming in from the southwest would bring a big plume of moisture from the Tasman. 

“We call it an atmospheric river because of the amount of moisture coming with it,” he said. 

Severe weather watches and warnings 

There are several warnings and watches around the country today. 

The Coromandel Peninsula is under an orange heavy rain warning until 3pm this afternoon. 

The Bay of Plenty is under the same warning until 11pm, and Gisborne/Tairāwhiti north of Ruatoria until midnight. 

Tongariro National Park is also under an orange heavy rain warning until 10pm. 

Taumarunui and Taihape north of Ohakune, excluding Tongariro National Park, are under a heavy rain watch until 11am. 

Taranaki is under the same watch until 8pm. 

Northland, Auckland and Great Barrier Island are under a heavy rain warning until 2pm and Waitomo, Waikato and Taupō are under the same warning until 6pm.