Heavy rain on the way

MetService forecasts heavy rain to cross parts of the Wanganui region today.

It warns of heavy rain and severe gales across the central North Island.

The nasty weather is coming from a broad trough over the Tasman Sea, which contains several fronts pushed along by strong, moist northerlies.

The fronts are expected to cross the country today bringing rain to many regions, especially the north and west of the South Island and about central and western areas of the North Island.

Heavy rain is expected about the Tararua Range, Mt Taranaki, Tongariro National Park and the Kaimanawa ranges and MetService warns that streams and rivers in all these areas may rise quickly and surface flooding and slips are possible.

Forecasters say those areas can expect 80 to 120mm of rain from 6am to 6pm today with the heaviest falls this afternoon.