A large low and a front with sub-tropical connections, sounds like a recipe for heavy rain – and it is.  Today the Tasman Sea low will continue to pump out energy but it’s the blocking nature of the weekend’s high pressure system that could cause problems.

The departing high is very slow moving – a bit like a truck driving up a hill.  Meanwhile the rain, in the car behind, wanting to move faster, but can’t – and there’s no room to overtake.

So the rain band is being held up and therefore North Island residents – and some in the north of the South Island – are in for a wet day – or a wet end to the day.

Nor’easters will blow across the island, turning more nor’west and easing in the north later today.

The South Island has a different set up – much drier and sunnier in the south with clouds building from the north and west.

The low isn’t aggressive but its slow movement does increase the chances of heavy rain – and potentially minor flooding – around regions such as Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and King Country. 

On Wednesday rain is expected to set in across eastern areas – we’ll have more details later today and tomorrow.

Image / Rain map as of noon Tuesday / www.Weathermap.co.nz

– WeatherWatch.co.nz