Storm-affected regions in the North Island can expect some respite this weekend as drier conditions are forecast.

A few showers will persist, but, overall, people in Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula and the Bay of Plenty can expect a break from the heavy rain which has been battering the regions.

However, MetService meteorologist John Law told the Herald strong southwest winds and showers will still hit some places.

“I think it’s going to be a drier story, but still pretty blustery southwesterly winds and still the risk of a few showers as we go through the long weekend.

“At the moment, I would say Monday looks to be the better day of the long weekend, so that extra day there is looking like it bodes quite nicely. Generally, a bit of cloud and the winds are perhaps not quite as strong as we’ll see through the weekend.”

The drier weather is forecast to be in the Bay of Plenty, which will not get as many showers as the west coast of Northland and Auckland.

With the change in wind direction would come cooler temperatures, said Law.

Today’s highs in Auckland and Northland of 25C or 26C will be swapped with peaks of 19C and 20C throughout the weekend, he said.

“I think compared to the warm air mass that we had, which brought all that heavy rainfall, it’s a cooler-feeling air mass as we go through towards the weekend.”

Roads

Many Aucklanders hoping to head away for their long weekend might have some trouble accessing popular holiday destinations.

Parts of the Coromandel are still cut off and partially inundated following the heavy rain which battered the region.

Several roads remain closed because of flooding and slips, including parts of State Highway 25 between Waihi and Coromandel Town.

In the Gisborne Region, severe weather has shut SH35 between Tolaga Bay and Pōtaka, while flooding and slips have closed SH2 between Matawai and Ormond.