A front should move slowly southwards over northern New Zealand today (Tuesday) and is expected to become slow moving across the central North Island during Wednesday. A moist northeast flow ahead of the front is expected to bring a period of heavy rain and strong northeast winds to several regions in the north and east of the North Island.

A Heavy Rain Warning is in force for the Coromandel Peninsula.

For Auckland until early this evening, the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua throughout today, for Gisborne from this afternoon through to early Wednesday morning, and for Hawkes Bay overnight Tuesday and during Wednesday, rainfall accumulations may approach warning amounts and a Watch for heavy rain will be maintained.

Also for Auckland this morning, Waikato and Waitomo this morning and afternoon, northeasterly winds could to rise to gale for a time in localised places, with gusts approaching severe gale strength. A Watch for strong winds in these areas will also be maintained.

People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case a full Warning becomes necessary.

Heavy rain in Northland has eased or is soon expected to ease this morning, and the Watch for Northland is lifted.