Photo: MetService screenshot
An orange heavy rain warning has been issued for the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty and the ranges of Gisborne / Tai Rāwhiti, MetService has announced on Wednesday.
Severe Weather Update
— MetService (@MetService) September 23, 2025
A Heavy Rain Warning has been issued for eastern Bay of Plenty and the ranges of Gisborne/Tairawhiti
Heavy Rain Watches remain in place from Northland to Waikato and Bay of Plenty
Coromandel and Bay of Plenty have moderate chances of being… pic.twitter.com/ne2vuw8d5u
It took effect this morning and will last until 10am tomorrow. Rainfall of between 100mm to 150mm is expected during that period.
MetService says streams and rivers may rise rapidly. There could also be surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions.
The bad weather is due to a front moving slowly across northern parts of the North Island today. Another front is expected to move northwards over the lower South Island tonight.
Yellow heavy rain watches are also in place for three areas, including for Great Barrier Island.
There may be periods of heavy rain up until 7pm today.
For Bay of Plenty excluding the eastern ranges, heavy rainfall is set to last until 2am on Thursday.
The headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers are also in for a soaking until 5am.
Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria within 20km east of the main divide with another period of heavy rain expected on Friday morning, MetService says.
Meanwhile, the heavy rain watches for Auckland, Northland and Waikato have been cancelled.
However, Northland may experience severe thunderstorms this afternoon through until 5pm, especially for those near the coast.
There are road snowfall warnings in place for the Crown Range Road near Queenstown and the Milford Road (SH94) until tomorrow morning.
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