Here’s what is making the weather headlines today.

MORE HEAVY RAIN TODAY

It’s not secret we have had a lot of rain already for many western parts of New Zealand, the top of the South Island in particular. Today that heavy rain continues and the top of the South Island is in the firing line again.

Keep up to date with today’s weather warnings from Metservice here.

⚠️#Updated: Our high-res #Flood Risk Map:

💧1pm today – 1pm Friday.

For hyper-local rainfall totals, please refer to NZ's most accurate rain forecasts at https://t.co/gb7E1qcpZ3 and https://t.co/D35ySCBYsG (powered by IBM). pic.twitter.com/womMwv3h9D

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) August 18, 2022

⚠️Update on #rain for #Nelson & #Takaka.

Rain eases back later today, but it's not over yet. More rain on Friday, then finally easing back this weekend.

Rainfall totals:
💧Takaka today: 100mm+, 80mm+ Friday.
💧Nelson today: 70mm+, 80mm possible Friday.https://t.co/D35ySCBYsG pic.twitter.com/mIDJYGip4H

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) August 17, 2022

⚠️Latest #FloodRisk Map for #NewZealand.
9am Thu – 9am Fri.

Refer to your hyper-local https://t.co/gb7E1quzdb & https://t.co/D35ySCkVqG forecast for rainfall totals where you are.

MetService Warnings: https://t.co/7xoHnjeNiw#StaySafe ⛔️Please don't drive across flooded roads. pic.twitter.com/GRNkAV1QY8

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) August 17, 2022

STRONG NORTHERLY QUARTER WINDS

Northeasterlies are strong for the North Island today, especially for coastal areas. The upper North Island in particular sees gale force winds for coastal areas.

Expect strong to gale northerly quarter winds for Golden Bay and through Cook Strait also.

HITTING 20 IN THE EAST TOMORROW

The eastern North Island more specifically, a northerly airflow and warm upper air temperatures induce warm temperatures at the surface. Hawkes Bay and Gisborne will likely hit around 20 or 21 degrees.