The sub-tropical low, responsible for bringing gales to northern New Zealand over the past 24 hours, is today lying over the central Tasman Sea and can be quite clearly seen in our latest satellite map.

One of the main rain bands still lies over the North Island and is gradually heading south today, with rain expected on the western side of the Gisborne and Hawkes Bay ranges, and through central North Island regions.

Later today the low is expected to turn to the south or south east and curve back towards New Zealand and by Wednesday it is likely to cross the lower South Island but bringing heavy rain to northern parts of the South Island…watch for rain warnings.

Warm winds (for this time of year) will continue to blow in many regions with slightly warmer weather predicted for Canterbury today following a miserable day yesterday.  Most main centres reached 11 degrees in Canterbury on Sunday with Christchurch hitting 13 and Darfield only making it to 10 degrees.  On the other side of the Southern Alps the high was 26 making for the hottest May day on record for the coast.

Temperatures on the coast are again expected to be warm today but will drop back to normal levels from tomorrow onwards.

Meanwhile warm north west winds will move into the upper North Island tomorrow.

In Wellington mild winds from the northerly quarter will remain for the rest of the working week with only a few spits of rain expected later today and on Tuesday.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz