At 11.15am, Weatherwatch.co.nz says a switch in wind direction - from westerlies to southwesterlies - will mean the smoke from the fire will be blowing more northeast towards North Shore and Takapuna.
Weather for today and tomorrowIt's been a wet and windy morning for many today, but you can expect to see much of this easing by tonight. Tomorrow looks nicer by comparison, but a cold front making its way up the country is set to bring rain again. Keep an eye on the forecasts at http://bit.ly/metservicenz ^Tahlia
Posted by MetService New Zealand on Tuesday, 22 October 2019
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MetService duty meteorologist Talia Crabtree says the worst of the weather - thunderstorms - will see between 10ml and 20ml of rain fall each hour until it eases this evening.
However, the strong winds will mean the weather would move through the region quickly.
"By this evening it will still be fairly windy but nothing like it is now but there will still be some showers lingering about."
As for the roads, snow should ease until 4pm on the Desert Rd this afternoon while snow flurries will continue to fall above 800m.
In the South Island, the threat of snow has lifted on the Lewis Pass and Arthur's Pass, while a few snow flurries will continue on the Lindis Pass and Crown Range Rd on Thursday morning.
Snow showers will also affect Milford Rd, with between 2cm to 4cm settling on the road above 800m.
Meanwhile in Auckland, conditions being experienced tonight will continue into tomorrow before they ease a bit more on Friday.
Saturday will be the best day of the week, before another cold front hits the region on Sunday, seeing a return of the strong winds and rain.
Those heading out into the Manukau Harbour need to be wary of the possible 8m to 9m swell today. Rough seas will continue into the week due to the southwesterly winds, which will also affect people looking to head out on to the water on the eastern coast, towards Great Barrier or Waiheke Island for the long weekend.
Auckland is feeling the head of the storm today, but surrounding regions, Waikato and Bay of Plenty and the rest of the North Island will also continue to have windy, showery weather until Friday.
The South Island has seen the worst of its weather with no more snow forecast. Instead, a ridge of high pressure will settle there on Friday before it makes its way north, allowing the nicer weather to briefly visit.
WEDNESDAY'S WILD WEATHER
AUCKLAND: Heavy, thundery showers with hail, 15C
HAMILTON: Squally thunderstorms, strong SW winds, 15C
TAURANGA: Showers, possibly heavy with hail and thunder, 17C
WELLINGTON: Rain easing to showers this afternoon, 11C
CHRISTCHURCH: Showers and wind clear this afternoon, 12C
DUNEDIN: Showers clearing to fine spells, 12C
INVERCARGILL: Showers clear for rain to land tonight, 12C
