Here’s what is making the weather headlines today…

☔️Compared to what has historically been recorded in mid-May, here's the next 7 days Forecast Rainfall (Departure from Normal).https://t.co/gb7E1quzdb / https://t.co/D35ySCkVqG pic.twitter.com/TmtxtfOgy4

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) May 17, 2023

💨The storm in the Tasman Sea (which crosses #NewZealand on Saturday with a big westerly change), will help start a new weather pattern for NZ for the rest of May… the #WindyWesterlies are returning! #ClassicAutumn https://t.co/gb7E1quzdb / https://t.co/D35ySCkVqG pic.twitter.com/SYUzOmm281

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) May 17, 2023

FRONT BRINGS HEAVY RAIN IN THE NORTH

A frontal band moves into Northland this afternoon, reaching Auckland this evening then pushing southwards over the rest of the North Island overnight.

Areas exposed to the east will likely see some heavy rain as this front moves through, so eastern Northland through to Bay Of Plenty and East Cape. Although East Cape may not see it’s heavy rain till Friday morning. The front bringing this rain moves through at a reasonable pace so while rain may be heavy it doesn’t hang around all that long. Bay Of Plenty may see the front stagnate a little overnight into Friday morning before easing.

There is some heavy rain for the West Coast today also but this will start to back off from afternoon. Persistent rain for Otago eases from this afternoon too.

Metservice has a few rain watches and warnings out, you can see them here.

STRONG NORTHEASTERLIES – UPPER NORTH ISLAND

A band of strong northeasterlies moves down over the upper North Island, starting out this afternoon for Northland, reaching Taranaki across to Bay Of Plenty this evening. Winds will likely reach gale for coastal areas especially in the east.

Later in the night or towards dawn on Friday strong northeasterlies reach the eastern North Island (Gisborne to Wairarapa).

Metservice have a few wind watches out, you can see them here.

LOW CROSSES NORTH ISLAND ON SATURDAY

A low crosses over the North Island on Saturday from the Tasman. There will be a few pockets of heavy rain and very strong winds. Below are a few charts.

Phil Duncan will talk about this low more in his video today.

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☔️Next week's weather in New Zealand is westerly driven… this map shows rainfall AFTER the Tasman Sea storm has already crossed the country (which occurs on Saturday).

💧Expected Rainfall from this coming Sunday to the last Sunday of May shows the normal Autumn westerly lean: pic.twitter.com/4GcmI2BQGn

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) May 17, 2023