A tropical low is deepening near Vanuatu today and will power up in the sub-tropics as it drops southwards towards NZ – and then interacts with a powerful high pressure system to our east.

We call this windy area between the low and high a “Squash zone” and this creates stronger and stronger north-east winds and then slows down the sub-tropical rain – bringing a burst of severe wind and rain to northern parts of both main islands, but in particular the North Island.

We break down wind, rain, waves and the nationwide set-up between now and covering the long weekend.