A large area of low pressure currently affecting the country is forecast to linger, with periods of heavy rain and strong winds set to affect some areas right through until Thursday.

“The unsettled weather today will last into tomorrow with heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms continuing to plague the northwest corner of the South Island and the majority of the North Island,” says April Clark Metservice Meteorologist.

“In addition, a burst of strong westerlies forecast for the upper North Island during Monday evening will mean a stormy night for those north of the central plateau.”

“Although heavy showers on Tuesday are likely to be brief outside of the mountain areas, they still have the potential to cause localised surface flooding and poor visibility on the road during that time,” she warns.

On the eastern coasts from Gisborne to Southland, rainfall accumulations are expected to be a fraction of that on the west with dry conditions prevailing there tomorrow.

Although low pressure continues to dominate over the country through until Friday, heavy showers are signalled to become confined to the upper North Island for a time during Wednesday allowing other regions a brief reprieve.

“With such a changeable weather system in force for the better part of this week it is important for people to keep updated with MetService’s Severe Weather Warnings and Thunderstorm Risk chart and be prepared for adverse weather in areas affected,” Clark says.

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