MetService said the front was expected to move on to the North Island from late morning, which will bring strong northwesterlies for exposed western areas and a period of rain in many places into the evening.
MetService forecaster Juliane Bergdolt told the Herald the rain would start for places like Wellington just before midday.
“The front then moves quite rapidly across the North Island. We’re expecting rain to fall over central areas from Hawke’s Bay up to Auckland and Northland in the … mid-afternoon and it’s all sort of clearing quite quickly in behind,” Bergdolt said.
She said while the heavy rain will clear for the North Island, showers will continue into tomorrow there.
“That rain will be welcomed for many, as recent hot and dry conditions have seen water restrictions and elevated fire risk for places like the Hawke’s Bay,” MetService said.
Temperatures set to plunge
MetService said although summer is already in full swing, daytime highs are set to plunge this week, with some towns reaching only 16C tomorrow.
This comes after a week of sizzling temperatures, which were felt across the country as Auckland hit 28C, Napier Airport 34C and Wairoa 32C.
MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden said the cool shift was caused by the front moving over the country.
He said the nation is moving into a more “variable, unsettled and showery weather pattern”.
A spell of heavy rain, strong winds and a sharp cool change is set to sweep across the country. Photo / Warren Buckland
Throughout tomorrow and Thursday, many places will struggle to make it into the twenties as those southwesterlies keep the temperatures capped.
Places like Dannevirke, Wellington, Ashburton, Ōamaru and Invercargill are expected to top out at only 16C on Wednesday.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is nearly a week away and with the country settling into a more changeable pattern, the longer-range forecasts are likely to change in the lead-up to the big day, Lynden said.
“While it might feel like we are headed for a ‘white Christmas’ for some this week, it’s worth remembering that we’re still firmly in summer,” he said.
Watches and warnings
A heavy rain watch is in place for several regions this morning.
The Grey District is under a heavy rain watch until 6am this morning. The Tasman District west of Tākaka is under the same warning until 11am.
A heavy rain watch is also in place for the Buller District, until 10am, and the Richmond Ranges and the Bryant Range, including Rai Valley, until noon.
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