New Zealanders will have a lot on their plate today weather-wise as a deep low develops south of New Zealand and battles with high air pressure to our west and to the north.

Strong to gale force nor’westers are on the way for eastern regions of both islands, but mainly the lower North Island, while heavy rain moves up the west coast bringing thunderstorms and squally conditions which may create more isolated pockets of damage.

WeatherWatch.co.nz has fairly high confidence of more thunderstorms and possible tornadoes right up the west coast of New Zealand between this morning and tomorrow morning as cold front after cold front moves through.

Highest risk areas will be the West Coast and Taranaki with lower risk regions being Southland and western Waikato and potentially Auckland.

But while colder air is on the way tomorrow conditions will be mild again today especially for those in the north and east of the country.  Yesterday’s high was a balmy 19 degrees in Tauranga and Napier with 18s in Auckland, Kaitaia, Gisborne and Hastings.

Today similar temperatures are expected however cloud cover may keep some western areas down a degree or so from yesterday.

Tomorrow conditions change again as southerlies spread up the country.  The weekend is looking cooler but sunnier and calmer for much of the North Island while the South Island may take another day or so to clear up with that deep low nearby.

And wouldn’t you know it – another low is predicted for next week from the Tasman Sea.

MetService has issued nearly 2 dozen weather warnings for today – you’ll find all current warnings by clicking here.