Overnight saw much of the country shrouded in cloud, rain to varying degrees and winds picked up but perhaps not to the degree that some forecasters were picking.

Rain is falling across half of the country this morning with heaviest falls over the north of the South Island, particularly Marlbrough but also western and northern parts of the North island with the main drenching from north Taranaki up to parts of Northland and Auckland.

“It did cut up rough over parts of the upper North Island last night for a time with winds picking up speed and beefy gusts reported” says weather analyst Richard Green.” But not all areas were affected however more gusts are being recorded inside the last hour or two and rain is picking up in intensity over parts of the country”.

WeatherWatch did receive reports of thunderstorms lighting up the sky across western and central parts of the North Island last night and were accompanied by some decent blows.

Auckland city this morning is seeing north to nor’ west winds gusting up to nearly 70kph in exposed places but averaging between 30-40kph. Rainfall totals have varied inside the last 12 hours but the weekend total is now above 50mm.
More heavy showers are expected this morning with bursts of rain as well for the city plus blustery conditions.
This could impact on peak traffic this morning.

Hamilton saw some showers passing through overnight with a nor’ wester almost clocking 50kph but falling a long way short of potentially peak forecasts.
Heavier falls have just got underway for the Waikato region inside the last hour.

Tauranga has been largely shower free for the last couple of hours but later this morning another belt of rain is possible with winds increasing.

Wellington is just seeing the beginnings of some rain again as the southerly front is about to arrive but it’s taken its time in getting there.
Winds are expected to pick up throughout the morning from the south with bands of rain throughout much of the day.Last night reports of thunder and lightning were coming in from the greater Wellington region.

Christchurch saw rain finally arrive near midnight and about 15mm has fallen in places and another 15-25mm is possible before midday. Temperatures have cooled off and the city will may only scrape to 10 or 11 degrees today. Southerly winds are also gusting to near 70kph this morning.

Dunedin saw light rain overnight and has a fresh 6 degrees this morning but heavier falls were picked up last night.Lighter sou’ westers are now prevailing over the greater Dunedin area compared to Sunday evening.

Provincial areas saw conditions coming and going overnight with now the focus on Marlborough with some heavy falls reported. Nelson is also having its fair share.

Scattered rain has moved over parts of Gisborne and Hawkes Bay and driest conditions across New Zealand this morning appear to be the south and west of the South Island with just a few showers about the south coast but also Wanganui, Manawatu and Wairarapa regions are largely dry. Some rain is expected across these North Island regions at some point today.

Monday and part of Tuesday appear to be the wettest and windiest days of the week before sunshine and lighter winds return along with frosty conditions for much of the country.

-WeatherWatch