18 weather warnings have today been lifted by the government forecaster, MetService, for both islands of New Zealand.

The warnings were issued after a deep low in the Southern Ocean came in to contact with a large high in the central Tasman Sea, creating severe gales across central New Zealand and slow moving heavy rain for those in the west of both islands as far north as Mt Taranaki says WeatherWatch.co.nz.

Today the system is moving east of the country but still strong winds remain for some.  In what must feel like Groundhog Day for Invercargill strong winds are again pounding the area.  Strong winds and gales have affected Southland every week since about October.

There’s no immediate end in sight for the strong winds either with gales possibly returning on Wednesday according to WeatherWatch.co.nz.

MetService is also indicating that heavy rain warnings are likely to come in to place across the South Island’s west coast mid to late this week.  Trampers and campers should be well aware of these potential warnings.

Patchy rain fell over Auckland and Northland this morning, definitely welcomed by many however it certainly won’t be enough to significantly top up water tanks or bring much growth to grass and plants.  No significant rain is forecast for these regions for the next 10 days says WeatherWatch.

Meanwhile the nor’westers continue to give east coasters more hot summer weather.  It’s currently 25 in Napier and 24 in Gisborne, Wairoa and Hastings, Christchurch, Blenheim and Timaru.