A front sitting in the Tasman Sea edges closer to the west of NZ during the day, bringing showers and rain to many parts of the country.

Rain

Rain in Northland becomes heavy at times from afternoon, or possibly as late as evening.
Rain on the West Coast of the South Island pushes in during the afternoon too, and this could bring heavy falls also.
The likes of Nelson and Taranaki see heavy falls overnight.

Wind

Northeasterlies are fairly gusty, perhaps strong at times about Auckland and Northland.
Coastal Canterbury and Banks Peninsula northwards all see gusty or perhaps strong northeast winds from afternoon, while exposed eastern parts of the North Island see these strong winds too – like Mahia Peninsula for example.

Temperatures

Southeastern parts of the North Island (from southern Taranaki through to Kapiti) see warm conditions in the afternoon, with temperatures in the mid to late 20s – while exactly the same situation occurs over Canterbury during the day.

Rainfall forecast

• Greymouth area: 30 to 50mm of rain from Wednesday afternoon, rain continues overnight with heavy falls and a further 30 to 50mm by dawn on Thursday.
• Nelson area: Rain from afternoon on Wednesday bringing 20 to 30mm. Overnight rain becomes heavy with up to 50 to 80mm possible by dawn on Thursday.
• Taranaki, especially in the north and about Mt Egmont: Rain doesn’t really become heavy in this area till overnight but when it does it’s a lot. 50 to 100mm may fall overnight. Typically the lower side of that range will be the general Taranaki area while the higher totals will be about the mountain. Thursday sees heavy rain continue in which there could be a further 50 to 100mm.
• Northland (more so northern parts of Northland): Rain for much of the day becoming heavy from afternoon. 50 to 80mm possible. Rain is still heavy on Thursday with a further 50 to 80mm possible.

– Aaron Wilkinson & Drew Chappell, WeatherWatch.co.nz

– Photo: Zelda Wynn