“It has all the hallmarks of a spring low” that’s according to WeatherWatch.co.nz’s head weather analyst Philip Duncan.  A deep low, which moved across southern Australia at the weekend, is now moving over warmer waters and towards New Zealand.  “Temperatures pushing 30 in the east, rain warnings in the west, the risk of thunderstorms and a cool southerly at the end of it all” says Mr Duncan.

The centre of the low is expected to make landfall on Tuesday morning, with low air pressure currently in the 980s (hPa). 

By late today heavy rain is predicted by the Weather Watch Centre to move in to most western regions.  “The centre of the low will cross central to southern parts of the South Island on Tuesday morning. Winds will be strong but not severe while heavy rain will lash the West Coast”.

Heavy rain is now also expected in northern areas.  “Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Waitomo, Taranaki and the Tararua Ranges should all receive some solid rain falls overnight tonight or tomorrow morning”.

“I would think many farmers from central regions to the western coastline will be happy and some what relieved with the expected rain fall” says Mr Duncan.

Eastern areas, especially in the South Island, are also expected to see rain although certainly not at the levels predicted for the west coast.  

Eastern parts of the North Island may see some rain but it’s expected to do very little for farms heading into a potential drought.  “Overnight Monday or during Tuesday the Weather Watch Centre expects some rain for the North Island’s east but the hot, dry, winds may remove that moisture quite quickly.  Hot winds may well drive temperatures up to 30 around Gisborne and inland Hawkes Bay on Tuesday”.

The New Zealand government’s forecaster, MetService, has issued rain warnings and is also predicting thunderstorms across western areas. 

WeatherWatch.co.nz has a Live and Free Lightning Detector that covers most of New Zealand.  It can be found here.