Two lows are tonight spinning towards both islands bringing severe weather, reports WeatherWatch.co.nz.

“This low moving into the North Island looks like the perfect storm” says head weather analyst Philip Duncan.  “It has a clear centre to it and incredible looking rain clouds spiralling around it”.

The low is fast moving towards the Waikato and Auckland regions with torrential rain.  “Downpours will be torrential and may cause surface and flash flooding from Waikato to Auckland”.

“There’s also the risk the low may generate a water spout or isolated tornado” says Mr Duncan.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says gusts have been reaching 140km/h at the Manukau Heads and as the low moves in some isolated damage is possible.

Meanwhile in the South Island another low is hammering the east coast with heavy rain.

Image: Perfect looking low moving into Waikato region.  Image/MetService.

However WeatherWatch.co.nz says the rain is clearing from the north east this evening and has already cleared Christchurch and Banks Peninsula and is clearing southwards towards Timaru and Oamaru.

Rain warnings remain in force for the area tonight with MetService making no mention of rain clearing and instead saying heavy rain will remain until Wednesday afternoon – indicating that the clearance appearing this evening may only be temporary.

2pm today in Kakanui, 15km south of Oamaru.  Uploaded by: Cemil Carki