The 18-hour warning ends at 3am tomorrow but heavy rain was expected to ease south of the Wairoa District late tonight. Thunderstorms expected today … will increase the risk of downpours.”🟧Heavy Rain Warnings have been updated for Tairawhiti/Gisborne, and Hawke's Bay north of Napier. Details herehttps://t.co/qHyE5zzql5@hbemergency… pic.twitter.com/it0CbihBWB — MetService NZ (@MetService) January 2, 2026A 22-hour heavy rain warning for Gisborne/Tairāwhiti begins at noon today with 110 to 170mm of rain forecast, especially in the ranges, MetService said. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible,” MetService said of all areas under heavy rainfall warnings. “Unstable conditions are expected during the afternoon as a low crosses the northern North Island and some thunderstorms are expected”, MetService said.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 02, 2026 23:08 UTC