Heavy rain and severe gales for the eastern and southern North Island, Marlborough, North Canterbury and Chatham Islands

A significant low deepens east of the North Island on Sunday bringing heavy rain and severe gales to the east and south of the North Island, northeast South Island and Chatham Islands. Large waves and dangerous sea conditions are also expected.

People should keep up to date with forecasts.

Area: Gisborne/Tairawhiti north of Tolaga Bay

Period: 11hrs from 8pm Sat, 14 Feb - 7am Sun, 15 Feb

Forecast: Expect a further 40 to 60 mm of rain on top of what has already fallen. Intensities of 15 to 20 mm per hour at first, but easing during the night. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.

Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.

Area: Gisborne/Tairawhiti south of Poverty Bay and Hawke's Bay about and east of Wairoa

Period: 23hrs from 6am Sun, 15 Feb - 5am Mon, 16 Feb

Forecast: Expect 100 to 150 mm of rain. Peak intensities of 15 to 25 mm per hour Sunday afternoon. The heavy rain may ease for a time Sunday night before becoming heavy again for a time early Monday morning. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.

Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.

Area: Wairarapa, Tararua District and the Tararua Range

Period: 29hrs from 2pm Sun, 15 Feb - 7pm Mon, 16 Feb

Forecast: Expect 120 to 160 mm of rain about the eastern hills and Tararua Range, and 50 to 80 mm about the rest of Wairarapa. Intensities of 20 to 25 mm per hour about the hills and ranges, especially overnight Sunday to Monday. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.

Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.

Area: Hawke's Bay south of Waipukurau, the Ruahine Range and eastern Hawke's Bay hills from Cape Kidnappers southwards

Period: 21hrs from noon Sun, 15 Feb - 9am Mon, 16 Feb

Forecast: Expect 100 to 140 mm of rain. Intensities of 20 to 30 mm per hour are possible, especially overnight Sunday to Monday. Changes: Upgraded to Warning (Orange). Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.

Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.

Area: Inland Whanganui and Manawatu north of Marton, also Taihape

Period: 20hrs from 6pm Sun, 15 Feb - 2pm Mon, 16 Feb

Forecast: Expect 100 to 150 mm of rain. Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.

Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.

Area: Gisborne/Tairawhiti south of Poverty Bay and Hawke's Bay

Period: 14hrs from 5pm Sun, 15 Feb - 7am Mon, 16 Feb

Forecast: Severe gale west to southwesterlies with damaging gusts of 130 km/h in exposed places, especially about the coast. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Action: Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. Drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.

Area: Wairarapa and the Tararua District

Period: 15hrs from 6pm Sun, 15 Feb - 9am Mon, 16 Feb

Forecast: Severe gale southwesterlies gusting 120 km/h in exposed places. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Action: Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. Drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.

Area: Wellington, and eastern Marlborough north of Clarence

Period: 21hrs from 6pm Sun, 15 Feb - 3pm Mon, 16 Feb

Forecast: Severe gale south to southwesterlies with damaging gusts of 130 km/h in exposed places. Although winds ease during Monday afternoon, they may remain close to severe gale in some places until midnight. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Action: Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. Drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.

Issued: 8:46pm Sat, 14 Feb
Next update: 10am Sun, 15 Feb
Action advice supplied by the National Emergency Management Agency.