UPDATED

Today is the first day of winter in New Zealand and it’s kicking off with heavy rain, thunderstorms and rain warnings.

Heavy rain has pounded the upper North Island with rainfall amounts of over 60mm being reported to WeatherWatch.co.nz.

Torrential rain has caused plenty of surface flooding in Auckland late this morning.

The rain is heading south, with rain warnings now in force for the eastern Waikato’s Kaimai Ranges.

Strong winds have buffeted Te Aroha this morning but winds will ease quickly this afternoon.,

The large low, which has two or three weak centres, will continue to move southwards today bringing heavy rain to the North Island – and just like the low last week this one is going to also swing around and deliver even more heavy rain to the nation’s east coast – from Canterbury northwards.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says it spells bad news for people already affected by flooding.  Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says the rain is targeting most of the same regions hit by flooding last week.  “Last week it looked like western areas would be exposed to this system but now it’s very clear northern and eastern areas are agaion in the firing line”.

“Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, East Cape, Rotorua, Hawkes Bay, Wellington and Canterbury, all affected by last weeks torrential rain will again be seeing it from this new system”.

Mr Duncan says rain warnings may be issued for the South Island today.

MetService has moderate confidence of issuing rain warnings for Canterbury and Wairarapa for Wednesday.

WeatherWatch.co.nz is also predicting a few thunderstorms today.

And this isn’t the end of it – WeatherWatch.co.nz is now predicting a sixth low pressure system to form north of New Zealand during Queens Birthday Weekend.  “This one, at this early stage, looks as though it may only bring in rain to Northland and a few showers to northern centres, but it shows what very much looks like a La Nina weather pattern forming, backing up NIWA’s prediction that winter should be warmer this year”.