Northland, Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula are under weather watches for heavy rain and gales today. Weather Watch says the north of the country, including Auckland, can expect morning rain to ease to showers after lunch. The West Coast is predicted to enjoy morning rain easing to showers in the afternoon, and early showers in Southland and Otago should also clear. In the evening heavy rain began to pelt Westland, where it was expected to accumulate to warning levels of 100-120mm over 15 hours. From 9am today rain would be pelting the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and Gisborne through until Friday, MetService said.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 21, 2017 17:04 UTC