East Cape in firing line as heavy-rain front closes in

The East Cape is in for another soaking from a front dragging heavy rain in from the subtropics, and MetService says warnings are likely. 

The incoming weather is virtually identical to the deluge that hit the East Cape area overnight Sunday to Monday. 

An astonishing 205mm of rain hit one location like a waterfall. 

This rainfall — of cyclonic proportions reminiscent of Bola and Gabrielle — was measured by a Bay of Plenty Regional Council gauge at Haparapara River, just south of Te Kaha. 

Even more eye-opening, the downpour from the north fell mostly in just six hours from midnight on Sunday to 6am on Monday. 

Yesterday, MetService issued preliminary watches for another rain event due to hit the East Cape and much of the rest of the country. 

“On Friday, a complex trough should cross much of northern and central New Zealand, preceded by rain and strong northeasterlies for many places,” it said. 

“There is moderate confidence of warning amounts of rain” for northern Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, and from Northland down to the top of the South Island. 

The rain should clear for this district over the weekend but is forecast to return over Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, the weekend rain added to the Gabrielle recovery work, with more damage in the Waioeka Gorge, between Gisborne and Opotiki. 

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said it caused an “underslip” at the section between Oponae and Okiore on the eastern end of the gorge. 

Over 105mm fell there early on Monday morning. 

NZTA says rock stabilisation work is under way and will continue until further notice.  

Traffic was under local control and motorists could expect minor delays. 

MetService says heavy rain is forecast for many places on Friday, and the East Cape area will likely be hit again. 

Thunderstorms possible Friday

MetService updated its forecast on Thursday for a rain-laden front expected to cross the North Island on Friday.

Its latest map shows the front over the East Cape at 6pm.

Gisborne was forecast to have scattered rain, becoming widespread and heavy at times in the afternoon, with thunderstorms possible - easing late evening.

Northeasterlies were expected to be strong in exposed places tomorrow morning.

Heavy rain is expected in the East Cape area and ranges.

Weather outlook updated on Friday

The Gisborne-East Coast district can expect a wet week ahead, according to the latest weather outlook from MetService.

The low that has brought the latest bad weather is slow-moving and forecast to deliver more rain through to the following weekend.

For this region, MetService says there is low confidence of warning amounts of rain for eastern Bay of Plenty and the far north of Gisborne/Tairāwhiti.

"Easterlies persist over most of the country to Wednesday, with cloud and patchy rain affecting most eastern areas."

The extended forecast for next week is for rain on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with showers on Saturday and Sunday.