It may be running 48 hours late but heavy rain is still on the way for northern and western New Zealand reports WeatherWatch.co.nz.

A new low in the Tasman Sea will rapidly deepen on Sunday and with it comes bursts of heavy rain for northern and western facing regions of both islands in the following two to three days.

WeatherWatch.co.nz believes most exposed will be northern regions of both islands, mainly Nelson and Bay of Plenty.

A larger than predicted high just east of New Zealand has slowed down the rain bands – which at the start of this week was predicted by forecast providers to arrive on Friday and Saturday.  Now the new arrival times are Sunday to Tuesday as the big system slowly inches towards, and then across, the country. 

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the rainbands will be slow moving due to the blocking high to the east and advises residents and farmers in flood prone areas to keep up to date with the latest weather news, warnings and watches.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz