Our tropical low shifts slightly overnight so it’s centre sits over the Auckland area. The main energy belt with this low shifts southwards affecting the lower North Island and upper South Island in the east. Potential gales and heavy rain are in the mix tonight, to find out where and when check the forecasts out below.

Northland
Some heavy rain with strong southerlies gusting to gale force at times in exposed areas. Rain eaes mid
evening with winds tending brisk westerly by midnight.
Low tonight: 13

Auckland
Rain with heavy falls easing this evening but still the odd heavy shower about. Strong southeasterlies this evening may gust to gale force in exposed areas, winds tend more easterly overnight.
Low tonight: 13

Bay Of Plenty, Waikato & Central North Island
Heavy rain this evening gradually eases, strong southeasterly winds may gust to gale force at times this evening then easing slightly overnight also and tending more easterly.
Lows tonight: 12-14

Eastern North Island
The odd light showers turn to rain about the Wairarapa this evening and continues overnight, heavy falls are possible. About Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne expect heavy rain this evening then slowly easing overnight, gusty southeasterly winds.
Low tonight: 12-13

Western North Island
Rain this evening then easing overnight, strong southeasterly winds may rise to gale for a time this evening.
Low tonight: 10-12

Wellington
Cloudy with rain developing this evening, chance of a heavy fall or two. Southeasterly winds strengthen and may gust to gale force at times overnight.
Low tonight: 11

Nelson
Cloudy, some rain develops overnight with gusty southeasterly winds.
Lows tonight: 9-10

Marlborough
The odd drizzle patch turning to rain this evening, rain becomes heavy overnight. Southeasterly winds strengthen gusting to gale force at times about coastal areas overnight.
Lows tonight: 8-9

Canterbury
Cloudy with easterly winds, the odd drizzle patch especially about the foothills becoming more widespread this evening. Rain develops about the Kaikoura coast area this evening then becomes heavy overnight as southeasterly winds strengthen. Areas of rain move further south overnight as winds tend more southeast.
Low tonight: 6-7

West Coast
High cloud thickening this evening, southeasterly winds pick up. There could be some rain about Buller by tomorrow morning.
Lows tonight: 8-9

Coastal Otago
Mostly cloudy with brisk northeasterlies, chance of a drizzle patch towards dawn tomorrow otherwise mainly dry.
Lows tonight: 7-8

Central Otago
High cloud develops this evening and thickens overnight, east to northeast breezes.
Lows tonight: 3-4

Southland
Mainly clear skies with some high cloud overnight, east to northeast winds.
Low tonight: 5

Homepage image: Wednesday 25th September 2013 6am MSLP / Rain map – weathermap.co.nz

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz