Rain, wind heading north

Weather warnings for lower North Island today, with snow possible on Desert Road.

Bad weather that blanketed parts of the South Island in snow yesterday is slowly creeping north, bringing showers and strong winds.

Yesterday, Otago and Canterbury temperatures plunged to 0C as a warm flow coming from the Tasman Sea and a cold southern blast collided, creating showers and chilling temperatures.

Snow could still possibly fall today, however those further south are more likely to see showers and strong winds, MetService meteorologist Rebekah LaBar said.

"[We are] looking at generally showery conditions, but freezing levels will start to gradually rise so we're not looking at as much snow, at least at low levels, for the South Island."

Ms LaBar said the frontal system that brought rain and snow to the South Island would begin to affect places in the North Island today into tomorrow.

Wellington and Kapiti were under a weather watch for rain until tonight, while Taranaki was under watch for the rest of today and tomorrow morning.

There was also a weather watch for heavy winds affecting areas such as Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa, Ms LaBar said.

"Those are northwest gales that may become severe at times."

Ms Labar said that after the frontal system passed tomorrow there would be southerly winds affecting the North Island throughout the weekend.

Aucklanders were in for a high of 19C today, with cloud, some showers and northerly winds.

WeatherWatch forecasters said showers, which could be expected in the early hours of tomorrow morning, were likely to turn to rain later on.

They said there was a chance of some minor surface flooding between midday and 6pm in areas of Auckland tomorrow.

Ms LaBar said there was less risk for snow in the North Island.

"But there could still be some places to watch out for, particularly perhaps the Desert Road."

Today's forecast

•

Whangarei:

Cloudy, the odd shower. Northerlies freshen.

High 19, Low 15

• Auckland: Cloudy, chance shower. Northerlies freshen.
H 19, L 15.

• Tauranga: Cloudy, with a few showers. Northwest freshens.
H 18, L 15.

• Hamilton: Drizzle turning to rain afternoon. Northerlies. H 17, L 13.

• Wellington: Rain, some heavy falls. Northerly gales, gusts to 110 km/h. H 16, L 10.
Source: MetService