Gloomy and cold holiday weekend ahead

Parts of Kaikohe were knee-deep in floodwater yesterday. Photo / Supplied by Laurel Jerome

Queen's Birthday weather will keep most holidaymakers indoors, as forecasters predict stormy conditions and single-digit temperatures.

The gloomy outlook comes after torrential rain hit parts of Northland yesterday with more than 100mm falling north of Whangarei, causing some flooding.

Weather Watch Centre said the worst of the week's rain was over, but a strong northwesterly and low temperatures would reach the North Island by the weekend.

MetService issued a severe weather warning for Northland yesterday morning, predicting heavy rain and thunderstorms from Hikurangi to Doubtless Bay.

As a rain band sat stubbornly over the top half of the North Island, Kaikohe in the far North bore the brunt of the downpour, with parts of the town knee-deep in water.

Weather Watch analyst Phillip Duncan said: "Over 120mm of rain in one day is a significant amount for farming regions, compared to mountain ranges which just absorb the water. In the Northland area the rain just runs across the fields into the rivers."

David Heller, Department of Conservation ranger in Kerikeri, said two staff had gone home early because of flooding on farms.

He added that the threat of flooding of New Zealand's oldest house - Kemp House, built in 1821 - and the Stone Store had been reduced since the bridge over the Kerikeri Basin was removed last year.

While weather will clear tomorrow, the North Island will be met by a cold blast of air this weekend.

"The air is coming directly from the Antarctic. On Sunday Wellington's high could be only 6 or 7C, while the desert road may only reach 4C," said Mr Duncan.

Blustery winds and low temperatures were expected in the North Island. Snow is likely on the central plateau on Sunday and Monday, and Weather Watch was warning motorists that travel could be disrupted.

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: NZPA