As the centre of the large low in the Tasman Sea creeps closer to New Zealand today those in the north can experience waves of showers followed by calm, sunny spells, predicts WeatherWatch.co.nz.

Latest satellite maps show a heavy band of showers moving down Northland and into Auckland, followed by clearing skies.

Following a night of torrential showers which caused flooding in some parts of Auckland in the early hours this morning broke with almost no clouds and stunning blue skies.

The unusual weather saw temperatures hit 18 degrees at midnight last night in Auckland, quite incredible with the official start of winter just three weeks away.

Sunny weather is already returning to northern parts of Northland behind this rain band but satellite imagery clearly showers another wave of heavy showers moving in this afternoon – and some may contain thunder and squalls too.

These waves of showers are expected to continue in the north until early Sunday morning and then they will clear.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the chance of weak tornadoes is still “very unlikely” but the risk cannot be entirely ruled out either. 

Rain is currently falling along the eastern coastline of the North Island but because it’s coming from the north west much of it should fall on the western side of the ranges – that will be welcome news to authorities still dealing with the big clean up in Hawkes Bay following recent severe flooding.

In the South Island conditions are fairly dry although a few coastal showers are pushing through Canterbury and Otago while heavy rain is setting into Nelson and Marlborough.

Southland remains partly cloudy with rain expected to fall there tomorrow after what has been a significantly dry spell recently for our southern most region – particularly unusual for this time of the year.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz