Rain is expected to increase today as a low pressure system and its associated weather fronts start to move in.

• Widespread rain with isolated thunderstorms and gusty winds are forecast across the West Coast region across Sunday with rain totals in excess of 100 mm – isolated flooding possible in localised areas.
• Above 50 mm rainfall possible in Bay of Plenty and Gisborne from Sunday night through
  Monday.
• Snow may mix in some high elevation places above 1000m of the South Island this weekend.
• Gusty northwesterly winds are forecast in mainly coastal areas of Cook Strait on Sunday night,
  wind speeds in excess of 70 km/h likely.
• Day time temperatures are forecast to run near to above average across the country during the next couple
  of days.
• Night time temperature will be back to a colder trend in much of the South Island from Tuesday night as a wintry southerly heads north.