Low pressure over the Tasman Sea will bring another day of unsettled weather to the country.

Morning rain about the North Island will begin to clear from Auckland and Northland a little later this morning.  However, it is expected to hang out over the Bay of Plenty and could become heavy at times.  For this reason, Government forecaster MetService has issued a Heavy Rain Warning for the eastern Bay of Plenty.  Rainfall intensities could reach 25 mm/hr about the ranges.

Showers will persist about East Cape/Gisborne and Hawkes Bay, but rainfall totals aren’t expected to warrant the issuance of a warning.  Nevertheless, MetService says the situation will be monitored.

Showers will return to Northland and Auckland late this afternoon.  Showers will also likely return to the Waikato.

Showers are also expected to return to the upper South Island this afternoon.  Some brief heavy rain is possible about Nelson this evening.

Winds will also pick up tonight across the western North Island as the centre of the low approaches.  Westerly winds will swing around to the north and become gusty after sunset.

By WeatherWatch.co.nz Analyst Howard Joseph