A deep low in the Southern Ocean/South Tasman Sea area is today pulling down tropical air over the country and dumping downpours across some parts of the west.

In the South Island heavy rain on the West Coast has prompted NZTA to warn motorists of heavy rain and surface water.  A tweet a short time ago from them said “SH6 Ross to Haast Area Warning – Surface water is accumulating on the road. Caution is needed by road users”.

Rain with heavy falls is still affecting parts of the West Coast – there’s also widespread rain in the Nelson region which is slowly heading into Marlborough.  Rain is spilling over West Coast ranges and into western Otago and Southland this afternoon.

In the North Island patchy rain is falling across Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, with dry spells too.

Showers are affecting other parts of the country too.

Rain will intensify tonight across many places, with Thursday looking wet in the west and north.  The rain eases in most places on Friday.

– Rain map for this afternoon / Weathermap.co.nz

WIND
It’s windy in a number of areas too – Nor’East winds are gusting 50km/h in parts of Canterbury, Auckland and Wellington, with Wellington seeing gusts over 60km/h.  Generally winds are well below gale force in most main centres.

– Wind map for this afternoon – red/orange areas where the gales are, but not severe gale / Weathermap.co.nz

SWELLS
Dangerous beach conditions are spreading up the western coastline of New Zealand today. Over the next few days expect high seas and dangerous beach conditions to spread northwards, including the west coast of Waikato, Auckland and Northland.

By Thursday swells of 5 or 6 metres will be hitting the West Coast, while swells of around 3 metres will affect the North Island’s west.

Conditions ease back over Friday and Saturday. Generally speaking the seas around New Zeaand are going to be rough and unsettled for the next week ahead.

– Swell map for later today, shows the building dangerous seas to our west/south west / Weathermap.co.nz

What are conditions like where you are? Post a comment below!