Heavy rain forecast to soak parts of New Zealand, warnings in place
Severe weather warnings are in place for parts of New Zealand, with a high chance of slips and flooding in some areas, the MetService warns.
Severe weather warnings have been issued for the Tararua Ranges and eastern Otago.
Heavy Rain Warning issued for WRAPA, KAPHOR, WGTN, NTAGO, DNEDN https://t.co/g4cqVcKxTX
— Severe Weather Info (@MetServiceWARN) June 25, 2016
A severe weather watch has also been issued for much of the country, and includes Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawkes bay, Taranaki, Whanganui, Wellington, Marlborough and Nelson.
The heaviest rain is expected about the Tararua Ranges from midday today.
"Rain is expected to become steady from mid-morning, and could be heavy at times," a MetService warning said.
"In the 14 hours from 10am to midnight tonight, 40 to 60 millimetres of rain could accumulate with peak intensities of 10mm to 15 mm per hour."
People in affected areas are advised that severe amounts of rain could cause rivers and streams to swell.
Oamaru Airport just recorded 13mm of rain in one hour between 10am and 11am. Warning remains in force https://t.co/Sd5C6lrsSL. ^SG
— MetService (@MetService) June 25, 2016
Meanwhile, high winds have blown over a truck's trailer on the Napier-Taupo Road.
The overturned trailer was blocking one lane near the summit of State Highway 5 on Sunday afternoon, prompting police to urge motorists to take care on Hawke's Bay roads.
No one was injured in the accident.
A low pressure system is moving over the Tasman Sea and is forecast to be followed by a second low on Monday.
Rain is likely to persist until Monday morning in parts, with possible thunderstorms.
