Severe weather continues today in the southern half of the North Island and some eastern parts of the South Island, as far south as coastal Otago, as a large storm churns off the eastern side of the lower North Island. Over the next 24 hours this low will start to weaken and sink southwards – which is why southern eastern parts of the South Island have some severe weather risks.

By Wednesday the storm is not only gone from NZ, but the low itself falls apart south-east of the nation – but behind it is another storm, this one will come close to East Cape but – for now – we don’t expect severe weather there. But the Chatham Islands may get a direct hit from it, with damaging winds expected for a time.

By Thursday that storm is also gone – and high pressure over the Tasman Sea is trying to move in. This means mid to late this week many places worst hit by the current storm will have drier weather and lighter winds. Showers are most likely in the south and west of NZ for Thursday and Friday.

This weekend high pressure is likely over the North Island and upper South Island and mild westerlies in southern NZ.