Heavy rain watch in place for Hawke's Bay
As Auckland grapples with an unprecedented deluge of rain, and a local state of emergency, forecasters have issued a heavy rain watch for Hawke's Bay.
The heavy rain watch, for the Central North Island from southern Waikato across to Taihape and Hawke's Bay, south of Wairoa, is for 11 hours from 9am this morning to 8pm this evening.
MetService Meteorologist Dan Corrigan says periods of heavy rain, with localised downpours and thunderstorms are possible.
Rainfall amounts may approach and possibly exceed warning amounts in localised areas. Further rain or showers are expected tomorrow, which could be heavy at times with possible thunderstorms.
Since midday yesterday, 50mm-80mm rain has been recorded around the region. Te Haroto, on SH5 between Napier and Taupō recorded 82mm of rain, while Porongahau recorded 60mm.
Napier recorded 47.6mm of rain, not too far behind Hastings which had 51.6mm.
Corrigan says widespread rain is expected for the rest of the day.
"The rain is expected to really continue throughout the rest of the day and into the early part of tomorrow as well, easing off in the morning," Corrigan says. "But we are still expecting rain on and off throughout Sunday, before on Monday we can finally expect a dry day."
