Warm, wet weather expected before Southern Ocean air arrives

Warm, moist air is expected to spread across New Zealand through the middle of the week, bringing gusty winds, showers, and rain. A front moving across the country from Tuesday to Thursday will drive these unsettled conditions. Cooler air from the Southern Ocean is forecast to arrive late on Thursday as the system clears.

Monday rain is expected in Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula, and Waikato. In Auckland, rain could be heavy south of Whangaparāoa before clearing during the afternoon or evening. Tauranga was also seeing occasional rain on Monday, which was expected to clear to fine spells during the afternoon.

Tuesday will see scattered showers in the western North Island, while most other areas remain fine except for isolated showers in the south. In the South Island, rain may be heavy in Fiordland and Westland, though Canterbury, Marlborough, and Nelson are forecast to stay fine. A heavy rain watch has been issued for parts of Westland for 18 hours starting Tuesday night.

On Wednesday, potentially heavy rain may spread north across the South Island. Most North Island areas should expect isolated showers, though Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay are forecast to stay dry. By Thursday, rain and possibly heavy falls are expected across the North Island. In the South Island, Christchurch's high temperature is forecast to drop to 13C on Thursday.

Where reports differ

• Reports differ on the specific meteorologists providing information, naming either Katie Lyons or Heather Keats.

Compiled from reports by NZ Herald and Stuff.