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.<\/p>\n
MetService forecaster Juliane Bergdolt told the Herald the rain would start for places like Wellington just before midday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe front then moves quite rapidly across the North Island. We\u2019re expecting rain to fall over central areas from Hawke\u2019s Bay up to Auckland and Northland in the … mid-afternoon and it\u2019s all sort of clearing quite quickly in behind,\u201d Bergdolt said.<\/p>\n
She said while the heavy rain will clear for the North Island, showers will continue into tomorrow there.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat 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\u2019s Bay,\u201d MetService said.<\/p>\n
Temperatures set to plunge <\/p>\n
MetService said although summer is already in full swing, daytime highs are set to plunge this week, with some towns reaching only 16C tomorrow.<\/p>\n
This comes after a week of sizzling temperatures, which were felt across the country as Auckland hit 28C, Napier Airport 34C and Wairoa 32C.<\/p>\n
MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden said the cool shift was caused by the front moving over the country.<\/p>\n
He said the nation is moving into a more \u201cvariable, unsettled and showery weather pattern\u201d.<\/p>\n
A spell of heavy rain, strong winds and a sharp cool change is set to sweep across the country. Photo \/ Warren Buckland<\/p>\n
Throughout tomorrow and Thursday, many places will struggle to make it into the twenties as those southwesterlies keep the temperatures capped.<\/p>\n
Places like Dannevirke, Wellington, Ashburton, \u014camaru and Invercargill are expected to top out at only 16C on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Christmas Day<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile it might feel like we are headed for a \u2018white Christmas\u2019 for some this week, it\u2019s worth remembering that we\u2019re still firmly in summer,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Watches and warnings <\/p>\n
A heavy rain watch is in place for several regions this morning. <\/p>\n
The Grey District is under a heavy rain watch until 6am this morning. The Tasman District west of T\u0101kaka is under the same warning until 11am.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n