Light rain falls across New Lynn’s CBD, West Auckland.  Photo by Zelda Wynn.  Do you have photos of today’s weather?  Upload them here.

3pm update.

Rain is becoming more widespread across a number of northern and western regions.

WeatherWatch.co.nz weather analyst Philip Duncan says heavy rain is now moving down the country.  “Heavy rain is now moving into Northland, brushing Taranaki and setting in across Nelson”.

Our Blenheim reporter Anna Richards says rain has now set in across Blenheim and Marlborough also.

Earlier today Mr Duncan described the rain as just the “entree” but he says now the main course is being prepared.  “The main frontal band is inching closer to our main centres in the north and west.  It will be a wet and windy night for much of New Zealand”.

Saturated air, directly from the tropics, will move over much of the country this afternoon and set in tonight”.

“Humidity remains incredibly high in Auckland this afternoon.  Our readings show it’s still around 97% meaning even indoors could feel pretty damp”.

Mr Duncan says due to the sub-tropical weather northern New Zealand will unlikely drop below 18 or 19 degrees tonight.  “There’ll hardly be a change in temperature from midday to midnight…probably only a 1 degree shift”.

The Weather Watch Centre says that the sustained heavy rain over dry and cracked soil could lead to slips and some flooding – raising it’s own flood/slip risk level to “moderate” in north western areas in both islands.  “Tonight heavy falls, some with thunder, are possible for northern and western facing regions right across New Zealand.  Residents in places like Bay of Plenty, Northland, Taranaki, King Country and the northern South Island should keep up to date with the latest forecasts.

The Lightning Detector at weatherwatch.co.nz is picking up some lightning activity out in the Tasman and that’s expected to increase tonight.  Northland, Taranaki and possibly Auckland might have a rumble or two according to Duncan.

Meanwhile our state owned forecaster, MetService, has issued over a dozen rain and wind warnings.  They can all be found here. 

Latest Extreme Conditions

As the spring storm moves in northerly winds are picking up with gales across the Far North and out in the Hauraki Gulf already.

The warm northerly flow has bumped up temperatures across southern and eastern parts of both islands.  Philip Duncan says it’s 27 in Hastings, Manawatu and Dunedin with 26 in Timaru and 25 in Christchurch. 

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