A low located to the east of North Island has stayed almost in the same position for a few days and is today deepening and drifting a little closer to eastern regions.

This will particularly affect the east coast of the North Island with 80km/h winds, heavy rain for some with a little chance of lightning. Gusts above 80km/h are possible. However some regions may only have patchy showers and drizzle.

The offshore low is also creating bigger swells at some of our favourite beaches along with dangerous rips. Parents with young children should especially be aware of these more dangerous coastal conditions from East Cape to Wairarapa (along the North Island’s east coast) with more rips and strong rips for the next couple of days.

Swell map for later this afternoon (Weathermap.co.nz). Use our maps tab to access more swell maps and zoom in closer to where you are.

Wind map shows the worst of the winds out at sea but by this evening gales (in pink wind arrows) will brush some exposed eastern areas.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz (an IBM Business Partner)