Gale force easterlies are affecting Cape Reinga, the Hauraki Gulf and some exposed eastern areas of Auckland this morning as a small but deep low continues to slowly brush the Northland coast.

Gusts up to 115km/h are affecting Cape Reinga with gusts to 70km/h in Auckland.

But despite the brooding skies and strong winds WeatherWatch.co.nz is feeling less confident that the next few days will bring heavy, widespread rain to drought stricken northern regions.

“This low is still going to be the first big low of 2010 but as far as rainfall goes it’s not looking so promising.  Yet again it’s going to provide patchy rain, bringing relief to some areas while others see very little”.

Despite rain bands passing over Northland in the peast two weeks some areas have still only seen a trickle with rain tanks remaining dry and farms brown.

“This event will bring relief to some farmers and other residents in the northern half of New Zealand but I doubt it will be widespread.  This does, however, mark a significant change in the weather patterns”.

It’s a different story for the rest of the country this morning.  Wellington is one the calmest main centres with just a 4km/h breath of wind while Dunedin has a frost and zero.  A large high over the South Island should ease today as the northern low heads south, says WeatherWatch.co.nz.