Wet weather is set to spoil the holidays for some children and students (and parents we hear you!) as a trough in the Tasman sea with slow moving fronts heads towards New Zealand today.

Rain is set to fall later today in northern and western parts of the country and make its way southward this evening and overnight.

Strong northerlies with the system will deliver winds up to gale force in some exposed areas and rain is likely to settle in for a day or 2 in some areas, with potentially some heavy downpours.

Localised surface flooding could be an issue if the rain stays prolonged, as what the current data and tracking of this system suggests.

Although much of the country will experience rain or showers from this visitor at some point this week, it seems that the north and west of the nation is most likely to get a fair chunk and also the Bay of Plenty.

By Thursday conditions should improve in the north and west of the North Island with overhead conditons easing and winds abating.
Later today though or overnight tonight more than 90% of the country should see the winds rise and rain settle in for a time  before clearance tomorrow in eastern areas.