Bay 'best spot' for weather

A kite surfer enjoys the windy weather conditions at the Waitangi basin near Napier. Photo / Paul Taylor

While heavy rain and thunderstorms are in store for other areas, Hawke's Bay is looking to be "the best spot in the country" this week.

A frontal system from the Tasman Sea will bring rain to several regions, with particularly heavy rain in southern and western areas, MetService meteorologist Lisa Murray said.

Fiordland and parts of Otago will be the first hit with rainfall of up to 10ml to 15ml per hour and thunderstorms expected today, she said.

A few showers are expected during the next few days in areas such as Northland, Auckland and Bay of Plenty, while much of the country will experience rain on Wednesday and Thursday.

The worst weather Hawke's Bay is expected to receive is some strong northerlies on Wednesday and Thursday.

MetService meteorologist Emma Blades said there would be some heavy rains in the ranges around the region, and maybe severe gales, but coastal areas were looking "pretty good".

She said it would be a warm week, with temperatures in the high 20s and possibly low 30s.

"Temperature-wise, Hawke's Bay could be the best spot of the country this week."

"[Hawke's Bay] will be a sweet spot for holiday makers, but not so good for farmers."

MetService had issued severe weather warnings and watch's for heavy rain on the western side of the country, which could lead to possible flooding in those areas.

WeatherWatch was also predicting possible flooding later in the week.

"[A] big low will pull down a narrow but significant stream of moisture-rich tropical air and will generate some very heavy downpours across Wednesday and Thursday," said WeatherWatch head forecaster Philip Duncan.

"With a blocking high still out to our east it also means these rain bands could be slow-moving, increasing the risks of possible flooding."

Beachgoers should be mindful of big seas, Mr Duncan said.

"[Cyclone Winston] will be tracking into slightly more unfavourable conditions for it to grow and may even drop down another category, however, it is not expected to weaken from a cyclone for several days."

A westerly change should blow the last of the tropical downpours out east of the country on Friday and set up most of the country for a dry, settled weekend, Mr Duncan said.