A significant storm is quickly approaching New Zealand today and weather conditions will go downhill around a large portion of the country this afternoon and evening.

With so many moving parts to the storm our video today is a little shorter – because things may change as we head into Tuesday night.

Please keep up to date with rolling coverage at WeatherWatch.co.nz as we provide news updates and latest forecasts and mapping, plus tracking.

The worst of Gita is expected Tuesday afternoon, evening and overnight through Wednesday morning, with the worst of the winds easing back. This special video was made in the CountryTV studio (SKY channel 081).