Northland Braces for Another Round of Severe Weather
Residents across Northland are being urged to prepare for heavy rain and possible flooding as a subtropical low moves toward New Zealand. The warning comes just weeks after parts of the region were hit by severe weather and flooding.
MetService has issued an orange heavy rain warning for northern and eastern parts of Northland, with forecasters expecting intense rainfall from late Monday night through Tuesday afternoon. Civil Defence says communities still recovering from recent storms could be affected again.
🟡🔶🌧️💨
— MetService NZ (@MetService) April 5, 2026
New Severe Weather Watches and Warnings have been issued.
To read the full Watches and Warnings go to the MetService websitehttps://t.co/HZ2TSD5rV7@AucklandCDEM @CivilDefenceWKT @BOPCivilDefence pic.twitter.com/IJThhXL8fn
When the Heavy Rain Warning Starts
The warning is expected to remain in place for 18 hours, beginning at 10pm Monday and lasting until 4pm Tuesday.
MetService says the heaviest rain is likely to fall in the north and east of Northland, where between 90mm and 120mm of rain could arrive within the warning period. Some areas may experience intense downpours and thunderstorms on Tuesday morning.
Rainfall Could Reach Dangerous Levels
Forecasters warn that rainfall rates may peak between 25mm and 40mm per hour during the strongest bursts of rain. These conditions could quickly lead to:
- Surface flooding on roads
- Slips and landslides
- Rising rivers and streams
- Dangerous driving conditions
- Localised flooding in low-lying areas
MetService says the subtropical system is pulling warm, moisture-filled air across the upper North Island, increasing the risk of heavy rain and strong winds.
What Residents Should Do Now
People living in Northland are advised to:
- Clear gutters and drains around homes
- Secure outdoor furniture and loose items
- Avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain
- Keep phones charged and emergency supplies ready
- Stay updated through official weather and Civil Defence updates
Authorities are reminding residents not to drive through floodwaters and to act early if local conditions begin to worsen.
Could Other Parts of New Zealand Be Affected?
While Northland is expected to be hit first, the subtropical low may continue moving south across the North Island during Tuesday and Wednesday.
Forecasters say regions including Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and northern Gisborne could also face heavy rain later this week if the system continues to strengthen.
Disclaimer :This article is for general information only. Please follow official weather and emergency updates for the latest conditions.
