Calm before the storm: Rain and strong winds in store for week ahead

A fisherman wraps up warm at the Tukituki River mouth in Haumoana, with the snow-capped Kaweka Range on the horizon. Photo / Paul Taylor

The weekend has provided some respite from the rain that hammered the region for most of last week. However, it is set to deteriorate from tomorrow onwards.

MetService meteorologist, Kyle Lee said looking ahead, heavy rain and strong winds are in store for the region from Tuesday onwards.

"We have a low-pressure system that's moving southwards and it looks like the eastern half of the North Island is definitely in for quite a bit of rain."

However, Lee said today should remain dry, with a low of 4C and a high of 15C.

"It will be fine with high cloud and light winds. He said the northwesterlies would ease during the morning.

"For tomorrow, we are expecting the cloud to increase so it will become more overcast and Hawke's Bay does have showers developing from the afternoon."

He said the showers will become heavier about the Wairoa district in the evening.

As for temperatures, the easterly winds will bring the minimum up to 11C .

"It will feel a lot better from tomorrow because the easterly winds and the rain will warm the lower temperatures."

North Island will see rain, possibly heavy in the north and east, with gales possible. Rain easing in the north later. The South Island will be mainly fine in the west and south, with morning frosts. It will be cloudy in the east, with rain developing in Marlborough and northern Canterbury.

On Wednesday the national long-range forecast for the North Island indicated heavy rain in the east, easing on the East Coast. Scattered rain was predicted elsewhere, easing to a few showers.

In the South Island, rain was forecast in the east, possibly heavy in coastal Marlborough, gradually easing. It was expected to be mainly fine in the west and south.

In addition, southeast gales could become severe in places, becoming confined to Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa on Wednesday.

"It's all very normal for this time, typical winter weather."