Gusty winds are affecting Auckland with gales in exposed places reports WeatherWatch.co.nz.  While the winds aren’t damaging they are making driving difficult in some areas.

Winds are averaging near gale force from the north east in some exposed areas of the city.

At Cape Reinga winds are averaging 80km/h and gusting to 105km/h.

But so far today the forecast rain has hardly started across New Zealand with just light, patchy, rain in Northland.

WeatherWatch.co.nz predicts only patchy rain will move into Auckland this afternoon however it may still become heavy tonight.

The low in the Tasman Sea is still deepening and the rain clouds are still building across northern and western parts of New Zealand.  

WeatherWatch.co.nz says those in Bay of Plenty, especially in the east, should be aware that some heavy falls are possible overnight tonight and into tomorrow. 

At higher risk of flooding are the Nelson and West Coast regions.  See the current Severe Weather Watch by MetService:

SEVERE WEATHER WATCH FOR NORTHERN FIORDLAND, WESTLAND SOUTH OF OTIRA, PAPAROA RANGE, NORTHWEST NELSON AND RANGES OF BAY OF PLENTY ISSUED BY METSERVICE AT 1047hrs 25-Aug-2010 PERIOD OF HEAVY RAIN FOR THE WEST COAST RANGES OVERNIGHT WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY MORNING AND ALSO ABOUT THE RANGES OF BAY OF PLENTY

MetService expects a rapidy deepening low over the Tasman Sea to move southeast and pass west of Stewart Island early Thursday morning. An associated front and belt of strong or gale north to northeast winds ahead of the low are forecast to bring a period of heavy rain to northern and western areas of both islands late today and Thursday morning.

The heaviest falls are likely to be in northern Fiordland, Westland south of Otira, the Paparoa range and northwest Nelson from tonight until mid-afternoon Thursday. Although rainfall amounts are not expected to be unusual for these areas and are likely to fall just short of warning criteria, streams and rivers may rise quickly for a time. There is also expected to be further periods of rain near the ranges until Sunday morning in a disturbed northwest flow following the front.

Some heavy rainfalls are also expected in Bay of Plenty overnight Wednesday to mid morning Thursday, especially near the ranges. Rainfall amounts are likely to fall short of warning criteria, but could still produce some local surface flooding and slips, especially given the substantial rainfalls that occurred earlier this month. People in all the above areas are advised to remain up to date with the latest forecast in case the situation changes and a full warning becomes necessary.  Andy Downs, MetService.

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