Just when you thought it was safe to enjoy the sunny Autumn weather, mother nature has other plans.

WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters say two incoming systems look set to bring heavy rain to both northern and western New Zealand as early as this Sunday – with some models predicting rain, showers and strong winds could linger for many regions throughout much of next week.

The long range models show not only a front moving in from the south west towards the West Coast, but also a new low predicted to form north west of Cape Reinga this weekend – and could prompt rain warnings as it slowly moves over the country and quickly deepens.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the mostly sunny and settled weather around New Zealand at the moment should hold on until the end of the weekend for most places (except for the Deep South over Wednesday and Thursday) – but the upper North Island and lower and western South Island will see the rain clouds and winds increasing on Sunday and into Monday.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says the incoming low has the potential to grow into a storm with gales and heavy rain.  “This predicted low will be fuelled by sucking down warm, humid, tropical air – but it will also be slow moving, held up – or cradled – by large highs to the south, west and east of New Zealand”.

Mr Duncan says it’s the pressure gradient between the highs and developing low which could see wind warnings also issued.  “The models are still coming together so we can’t yet be too regional specific, but certainly gale force easterlies could affect regions west of any main ranges and the heavy rain may affect a number of regions across the country”.

Either way, the settled weather of this week is not predicted for next week.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz