National News

The early spring weather pattern is continuing to firm up across New Zealand reports WeatherWatch.co.nz as temperatures jump into the late teens this morning.

More heavy rain is being predicted by WeatherWatch.co.nz, as the second large low in a matter of days approaches from the west. 

The weather news authority says there may now be at least three wet events over the next 10 days.  Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says a series of lows and fronts are coming in from the west solidying a significant change in New Zealand's weather.

The rain radar is this afternoon showing clear skies over the flooded eastern Bay of Plenty region but in the past hour the rain radar has detected a band of rain moving in off the North Island's west coast.

These two fantastic photos were sent in by WeatherWatch.co.nz reader Allen Pidwell of Taranaki.

If you have photos from the stormy weekend, send them in to us here.

"Northerly gales whipped up 5 metre seas on the night of 13th August 2010. The aftermath left the coastal walkway strewn in rocks and debris" says Allen.

A storm that has walloped Victoria and Tasmania is now heading towards New Zealand.

Winds from the northerly quarter means the weather across most of New Zealand will be warm on Friday.

Daytime highs will be in the mid teens for most areas with upper teens in places like Wanganui, Palmerston North and other regions that tend to be warmer with northerlies.

Heavy rain is on the way for the entire western side of New Zealand as a system that caused problems in Australia at the start of the weeks moves slowly onshore here.

All regions west of the main divides (Southern Alps in the South Island and Tararua, Hawkes Bay and Gisborne ranges in the North Island) are expected to receive heavy rain with Metservice saying there is a risk of rain warnings for most western regions.

UPDATED

No matter where you are in New Zealand today the weather will start off cold, thanks to mostly clear skies brought in by an Anticyclone and a fading southerly.

The high, which is today centred over the country, has locked in the cooler weather brought up by the southerly during Sunday and Monday.

Coldest temperatures as of 7:30am...

Satellite maps are this afternoon confirming the development of a low that could have quite an impact on New Zealand at the end of the week and into the weekend.

The developing low and frontal clouds associated with it can be clearly seen on the latest satellite image at WeatherWatch.co.nz.

It may only be short lived but today a high will spread across the country finally easing the wet and windy conditions for most of us. 

Just a few showers may linger along the North Island's eastern coastline between Wairarapa and Gisborne,

The clearing skies means overnight temperatures will drop again.