Winds have begun to pick up about the upper regions of the North Island.  Auckland was reporting north winds at 37km/h winds last hour.  Wind speeds of 30-35 km/h were common about the upper half of the North Island.  Strong gusts have been felt across the northern and central Waikato. 

Widespread rain had moved over Northland and was beginning to move into Auckland as of 2:00 pm.  Showers were scattered about most of Auckland.  Showers could also be found about the Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato and Bay of Plenty.  A few light showers have also brushed by Gisborne and Hawkes Bay today.

Light showers could also be found at Nelson, Gore and Invercargill

Temperatures at noon ranged from 16 at Hamilton to 8 at Taupo and Tokoroa.

Rain and wind will continue to spread across the North Island for the rest of today and into tonight.  Rain will move into western Nelson this evening.

Heavy rain warnings remain in effect for Bay of Plenty and the eastern ranges of the Waikato for this evening into tomorrow afternoon, for western Nelson late this evening into tomorrow afternoon and the Waitaki, Dunedin and Clutha districts for tomorrow into Tuesday.

Homepage image/ Carl Elphick

-WeatherWatch.co.nz