King tides and large swells could cause headaches on the east coast between Northland and Bay of Plenty

The Northlanders, Aucklanders and those along the coast in Plenty Bay are warned to pay attention to the risk of floods, as rain and high winds coincide with high tide tonight.

Most of the North Island and the summit The South Island was under Metservice weather monitoring yesterday for heavy rain or heavy storms, or in some cases both.

The eastern coastal areas between Northland and Bay of Plenty were warned of the risk of flooding.

Meteorologist Metservice April Clark said that only one area, Gisborne from Tolaga Bay to the north, and the Plenty Bay ranges to the east of Opotiki, were under a strong warning of rain, but that could change

. to 100mm in the ranks, with lesser amounts elsewhere, between 15h today and 6h tomorrow.

But the "biggie" today would be the effect of the tides of the king arriving at the same tide Northeast winds whipped heavy northeast swells, Clark says:

High tides 3.6 meters are expected in Auckland at 8:53 and 21:19, she says.

"[The swell and king tides] means we are looking at the flood potential of the East Coast from Northland to Bay of Plenty."

There was still some uncertainty because if the winds were not as strong as expected, the swell would be smaller, but she urged people living in the coastal areas to be aware of it.

Tāmaki Drive in Auckland threatened, but anyone likely to be affected should stay up to date with local authorities. Auckland Transport warned that Maraetai and the North Highway between Esmonde and Onewa roads could be affected

Vector, Auckland's electricity supplier, has stated that blackouts were possible

. rain – with the rest of the North Island affected by mid-morning.

Heavy rains are in place for Northland, the northern parts of Auckland, Coromandel, west of Plenty Bay, Gisborne north of Hawke's Bay, northwest of Nelson and the north. East of Marlborough. Strong wind watches are also in place today for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Waikato, King Country, Taranaki, Whanganui, Bay of Plenty – west of Kawerau and Buller.

Bad weather should start to decline tomorrow, Clark said. 19659002] "Tuesday, it will be much more arranged."