KEY POINTS:
Don't let a few days of sunshine fool you: the fickle weather - a feature of the summer so far - is set to return, with heavy rain, cooler temperatures and failing crops expected in coming months.
Holidaymakers accustomed to tuning into cricket broadcasts may instead have to seek out weather bulletins over the next few days, with MetService warnings of heavy rain that could turn dangerous in the northern North Island.
Severe weather watches are in force today in Northland and Auckland, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty, and MetService is advising residents to be prepared for upgrades to severe weather warnings.
Weather watches are issued when there is an expectation conditions may deteriorate to the thresholds required for severe weather warnings.
Heavy rain was expected in Northland this morning, with thunderstorms expected after lunch.
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In Auckland and Coromandel, heavy rain was expected between 6am and 3pm, while Bay of Plenty residents should expect rain this afternoon that will likely last the night.
"We are putting everyone between Northland and Bay of Plenty on watch for heavy rain," weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said yesterday.
"Parts of this area haven't seen much wetness recently and the incoming moisture is from the subtropics so it may become torrential at times. People in the affected area should brace for this incoming rain and keep up to date with the latest weather bulletins."
The downpours could put a crimp on the Heineken Tennis Open now under way in Auckland and the 420 World Championship yachting off Takapuna in Auckland. The final one-day cricket international between New Zealand and Sri Lanka is also due to go ahead in Hamilton today.
The dire weather predictions come on the back of the coldest December in a generation.
The main centres were all 2C-3C cooler than normal, with Auckland experiencing its coldest December since 1962.
Overall, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) predicts a drier than normal, but cooler, summer.
MetService heavy rain warning issued this morning:
Bay of Plenty, rain is expected to become widespread and heavier this afternoon, with possible thundery downpours overnight or early Wednesday. In the 21 hours from 3pm Tuesday to midday Wednesday, 80 to 100mm of rain is possible, especially about the ranges. Rainfall rates could reach 25 to 35mm per hour in any thundery downpours.
Northwest Nelson, including Golden Bay, rain is expected to become heavier this afternoon, with possible thunderstorms Wednesday morning. In the 21 hours from 3pm Tuesday to midday Wednesday, 80 to 100mm of rain is likely, especially about the ranges. The heaviest falls should be overnight or Wednesday morning, when rates could reach 15 to 25mm per hour in thunderstorms.
