THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER UPDATES TO THIS STORY – Last Update,1pm Friday.

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Waves crash against the Murrays Bay Wharf yesterday…winds were gusting to 100km/h.

Image / NZHerald.co.nz

For all current weather warnings click here.

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1pm Update

After early downpours in northern and western areas of the country this morning, conditions have eased in most areas with a few showers dotted around the country. 

Winds have also eased back in the north and much of the country had more breezes or gusts  but to no real degree in the last hour.

A number of regions from Auckland into the South Island had winds currently gusting to 50km/h and in most cases these have now lessened.

Most of the country had temperatures in the high teens or low 20s at 1pm and another warm night is scheduled for tonight with the weekend looking like a mixed bag.

Earlier story

While rain warnings remain in force for Aucland WeatherWatch.co.nz now believes the main rain band is clearing the region and moving into Coromandel and Bay of Plenty.  Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says the rain isn’t especially heavy in the urban centres but heavier rain is falling up in the hills. 

Mr Duncan says the eastern Bay of Plenty and East Cape looks as though they’re more in the firing line at this stage with moderate rainfall expected for several hours yet.

In Hawkes Bay steady light rain is continuing to fall helping ‘lock in’ the moisture from last weekends sub-tropical low.  Farms, especially in southern Hawkes Bay, have been desperate for rain for some months now.

Light rain is also falling around Waikato, Wanganui and Nelson with heavy rain in Hokitika on the West Coast.

Light showers and rain are also falling across Invercargill and parts of inland Southland.

Northern New Zealand is very humid this morning.  Overnight lows didn’t dip below 20 again with humidity close to 100%.   The current temperature in Auckland is 21 with 96% humidity – creating a ‘feels like’ temperature in the late 20s.

Last night the wind brought down powerlines and trees.  Damage was reported by www.newstalkzb.co.nz. The news website says the wind has blown a number of tiles off a roof in Awanui, a tree caught fire after falling on powerlines in Dargaville, while another tree has come down on a road by a bridge on State Highway 10 at Totara North.

In Auckland this morning powerlines are covering at least two roads.  For the latest live Auckland roading information click here.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the worst of the wind has now eased however gusty conditions may build around Southland and Otago over the next 48 hours as the low passes nearby.

If you know of any damage, please let us know.  Post a comment below or send us an email using the Contact Us form.

Click “Read More” below for earlier stories on this event…

Gale force winds are starting to ease in Northland after a rough day.  Severe winds, predicted by the Weather Watch Centre, have last much of the day and as expected are now showing signs of easing.

At one point this afternoon winds reached hurricane force in the Far North with gusts to 155km/h.  The wind has dropped right back with gusts at Cape Reinga now only reaching about 60km/h.

Emergency services are warning Aucklanders to secure their home in the face of gales and possibly heavy rain this evening and overnight.

“These winds are strong enough to lift roofs and uproot trees. Those living in the Far North and eastern parts of Northland, also northern parts of Auckland are most exposed to these potentially destructive winds” says WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst Philip Duncan.

WeatherWatch.co.nz is advising motorists to take extreme care on the Auckland Harbour Bridge this evening.

Philip Duncan says the strong north easterly winds will slowly move southwards over the North Island today and early Friday.

The gales are due to the third sub-tropical low in just 3 weeks to move down the country.

Mr Duncan says the North Shore, east coast bays and Waiheke Island will be most vulnerable to the winds in the Auckland region. 

There have been reports of roofing iron and tiles coming down and branches breaking. 

Winds are easing in the Far North now.  

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Read our independent Auckland City forecasts by clicking here.

Click “Read More” for earlier news on this event…

Earlier story, Wednesday.

It looks like northern New Zealand is in for another drenching as predictions of a Tasman Sea low emerge. Regions hit by last weekends heavy rains look likely to be the receivers of this next system with Northland most exposed as this stage.

WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst Philip Duncan says it’s a slightly different set up to last week but basically it’s going to bring similar weather. “The strong easterlies will build up this week, possibly reaching gale force force for a time along the western Kaimai Ranges, then the low will tap into moist air north of New Zealand and should bring heavy rain with it”.

Mr Duncan says the high currently over New Zealand will slowly move east and behind it is what he describes as a breeding ground for rain. “Behind this high a large pool of unstable, rain making, air will be left over the Tasman Sea.  A moist nor’easterly flow is likely to stick around for a few days over northern New Zealand then spread further south and east across the country”.

He says the high to the east will slow its movement meaning a slightly greater risk for flooding in Northland.

“At this stage this isn’t looking as bad as last weekend however its sluggish nature coupled with already wet ground from last week means those in the north and west should keep up to date with the latest weather news and potential warnings”.

The large pool of unstable air should mean rain clouds move in to western areas of both islands too. MetService has issued a high risk for heavy rain for Northland at the end of the week in their Severe Weather Outlook with moderate confidence for Coromandel and a good section of the West Coast.
 

We’ll be updating this link as more details of this low develop.