Parts of the North Island are being warned to brace for a sub-tropical drenching with heavy downpours so intense the crippling drought may finally be broken. Heavy rain is expected to hit the country today and last for up to a week. The downpour was expected to be so intense there was a possibility warnings would be issued for upper districts of the North Island. Gisborne has occasional rain this evening, while afternoon rain is forecast in both Palmerston North and Wellington. Rain was also expected to fall over the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, the Hawke's Bay ranges and the central North Island high country, but not to warning levels.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 06, 2017 19:55 UTC