A number of heavy rain warnings have today been issued for regions in both islands as a slow moving rain system stalls over the country.

As of 1pm 10 weather warnings were in place by MetService covering Central Plateau and Taranaki along with northern and western regions of the South Island.

Click here to see all current weather warnings.

The large high that brought stunning weather to much of the country last weekend is ironically the reason why heavy rain will set in this weekend.  Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says the high is now east of New Zealand and is acting like a brick wall.  “The high air pressure is stopping the rain clouds from clearing the country – meaning they will hang around for the entire weekend with no where to else to go”.

Rain will affect much of the country over the coming days with a depression deepening overnight tomorrow and into Sunday north of New Zealand. 

“The rain and easterlies mean most centres will be mild this weekend.  Overnight lows in Auckland will be lucky to drop below 14 degrees over the next two nights”.

Mr Duncan says another high is forming in the Tasman and should bring sunnier, drier, weather next week.