Parts of the drought-stricken north are expected to get their first rain in more than two months, but forecasters warn they are unlikely to be the end of the drought.

A Niwa climate scientist says 56mm of rain has fallen so far this year, the lowest of any three-month period in Auckland.

Severe gales powerful enough to damage trees and power lines are set to lash the east coast of the South Island and the parts of the North Island.

Auckland is coming through a record dry patch - only 5mm of rain fell in February, the least since records began in 1959.

North Islanders stifled by the heat should sleep easier from tomorrow - tonight should be the last in a run of extremely stuffy nights.

Muggy nights of up to 100 per cent humidity have swamped the north of NZ since the weekend and look set to continue for a couple more days.

An anticyclone moving slowly over NZ is likely to bring the hottest days of summer yet, MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt says.

Rain eased in Gisborne overnight and surrounding roads reopened after flooding and slips caused evacuations.

Heavy rain and possibly even thunderstorms are forecast for southern parts of Auckland today.

Unsettled conditions could mark a turning point for our summer weather, forecasters say.

Simon Power confirms the MetService is negotiating with the BBC to provide some forecasting services.