The nasty storm that has torrential rain across the country and turned droughts into floods will today finally move off out into the Pacific Ocean while another sub-tropical low quickly moves in behind it.

On top of that, as the storm departs New Zealand’s shores one more small area of low pressure will form off the Canterbury coast overnight tonight and into Friday morning bringing further heavy rain to Canterbury.

MetService has moderate confidence that more rain warnings will be issued for Canterbury for Friday and Saturday.

They’re also moderately confident that heavy snow will develop above 400 metres on Friday as a cold south easterly flow comes in behind the departing low.

In the North Island and the incoming sub-tropical low doesn’t look too serious says WeatherWatch.co.nz however advises those in flood prone areas to be aware of more rain on the way.

It’s unlikely the system will bring in major rain but on top of the recent downpours rivers may rise quickly, especially in eastern Bay of Plenty and East Cape.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says of more concern could be the low coming in next week, which may bring widespread heavy rain to much of New Zealand.

“The computer models are suggesting next week’s low will be much deeper and larger than tonight’s new low and will be further south, bringing heavy rain to the North Island especially northern and western areas, also to the upper South Island”.

Mr Duncan says long range forecasts can change, but the recent weather patterns show the chance of a low with flooding potential next week is high.