A heavy rain watch has been issued for parts of the upper North Island as a band of wet weather moves across the country, bringing a risk of localised downpours.
MetService said a front was expected to move south over the upper North Island tomorrow, bringing periods of heavy rain to northern and eastern areas.
The watch covered northern and eastern parts of Northland, Auckland north of Ōrewa and Great Barrier Island for 14 hours from 11am Wednesday until 1am Thursday.
The forecaster warned rainfall amounts could approach warning criteria and localised downpours were possible, with a moderate chance of the watch being upgraded to a warning.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it was important for people to be prepared before the weather system arrived.
People were encouraged to clear drains and gutters, allow extra time for travel and drive to the conditions.
NEMA also warned people to watch for flooding and poor visibility, avoid driving through floodwaters and take care around streams and rivers, which could rise rapidly.
The incoming rain followed last week's cold snap, which saw several areas record sub-zero temperatures.
Metservice said meteorologist Vivien Whyte said temperatures were now warming slightly across much of the country, but would remain mostly cool.
A narrow ridge of high pressure had brought a relatively settled start to the week, but a band of rain crossing the Tasman Sea was expected to reach the West Coast and Northland on Wednesday.
"Warmer but not warm is the message," Whyte said. "Mild temperatures are set to continue throughout the week, with Christchurch forecast to reach 18°C on Thursday."
Whyte said temperatures were expected to remain in the single digits rather than dropping below freezing, and afternoon temperatures across much of the North Island would reach the mid-teens.
Rain was expected to spread south across Northland and Auckland on Wednesday, while scattered showers were forecast to develop around Waikato, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Taumarunui and Taupō in the evening.
The wet weather would become more widespread on Thursday, with rain or showers forecast for most of the North Island.
On Friday, rain was expected to continue in the north and could be heavy around the Coromandel Peninsula and Gisborne, before heavy rain remained possible in Gisborne on Saturday.
SHARE ME