Updated 7:37am — Ex-tropical cyclone Ita is this morning pushing rain, heavy at times, across the North Island – bringing relief to parched farms and water tanks but also prompting two dozen severe weather warnings across the country. 

Aucklanders have woken to gale force east to north east winds gusting to 80km/h in the suburbs – and WeatherWatch.co.nz expects gusts to 100km/h in the coming hours, with isolated gusts in exposed areas over 120km/h.  Localised power cuts are highly possible across the region. 

The heaviest rain is spreading south, although parts of Northland and Auckland may well have another burst of torrential rain this morning – with the gales blowing autumn leaves there is increased chances of drains and gutters being blocked causing flooding.

But the rain north of Auckand is expected to break up as the day goes on with patchier falls.

Wind wise northeasterlies will continue to rise to gale force this morning about Northland, Auckland and Bay Of Plenty in the west. It’s likely to surge up this morning before noon then ease back this afternoon.  The Waikato sees strong winds also but they may just hold off to gusting up to gale force for now. East to southeasterly winds strengthen about Wellington through to Taranaki also, gusting to gale force especially about coastal areas this morning.

The upper South Island (Marlborough, Nelson, Tasman) and along the West Coast north of about Hokitika sees
southeasterlies strengthening, gales are likely towards dawn especially for coastal areas. A strong gale is likely through Cook Strait, about
the Marlborough Sounds and areas like Farewell Spit by dawn, winds may gust into
the storm force category at times in these areas.

Rain wise and heavy falls are pushing in now across the North Island and upper South Island.  As predicted by WeatherWatch.co.nz not all areas are in the firing line for heavy rain – but rain or showers are expected in most regions today with heaviest falls in northern and western areas.

During Thursday the main front associated with Ita moves southwards over the North Island, behind it
the weather calms down but until it does heavy rain with strong
winds and gales can be expected. While heavy falls are in the mix, WeatherWatch.co.nz believes northern areas may also have significant dry spells, or light rain spells, this morning too – but there is a risk of a torrential downpour later this morning. There may even be isolated thunderstorms today.

SOUTH ISLAND
The upper South Island (Marlborough, Nelson, Tasman) and along the West Coast north of about Hokitika sees strong southeasterlies continue, gales are likely especially for coastal areas. A
strong gale will continue about Cook Strait, the Marlborough Sounds and Farewell
Spit including down through to Hokitika in the west, winds may gust into the
storm force category at times in these areas. Strong easterlies gusting to gale
force at times about the coast move into coastal Canterbury from afternoon,
especially North Canterbury.  Damaging gusts are possible – please be up to date with the latest MetService severe weather warnings.

Rain will be its heaviest on Thursday about the top of the South Island, the heaviest falls will likely be about Marlborough with torrential areas of rain possible. Heavy rain moves into Canterbury during
the afternoon also with North Canterbury seeing the biggest totals. Rain eases
over the South Island overnight Thursday but continues during Friday for many in
the north and east.

Story image – Thursday 17th April 2014 midday rain map – weathermap.co.nz

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson & Head Weather Analyst Philip Duncan – WeatherWatch.co.nz