The main body of rain continues to slowly inch southwards across Northland this afternoon with rain in Auckland expected to gradually become heavier.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says drizzle and showers are also expected to turn to rain across Waikato tonight making conditions slippery for the Tri-Nations match in Hamilton.

The north-easterly flow has picked up across northern New Zealand today with blustery conditions affecting Auckland and Northland.  Winds are near gale force about Cape Reinga, closer to the where the low is centred.

Today the low is expected to keep its distance and slowly move east out in to the Pacific Ocean.

It’s a mild afternoon for most with 17 in Auckland and a string of 18s along the east coast.  It’s cooler in Dunedin and Wellington with 14 but Christchurch has 19 – the warmest centre in the country.

– File Photo:  Light rain in West Auckland.  Image / Zelda Wynn