Heavy rain and gale force winds are set to smash the Upper North Island and while the rain will ease, the wind is likely to affect Wednesday's racing of the Prada Cup final.
MetService meteorologist Tahlia Crabtree says the "turbulent" weather is about to hit New Zealand, with weather warnings already in place for Northland, Auckland and Coromandel.
The rain will be a welcome relief to many areas including Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay and Gisborne who along with most parts of the North Island have been experiencing a dry summer.
However, for the thousands interested in the racing on the Hauraki Gulf, Crabtree said while the rain was expected to stop, the wind could prove tricky.
"It looks like the worst of the rain during tomorrow and Tuesday with tomorrow being the worst of the wind.