• A low-pressure system in the Tasman is bringing stormy weather, with heavy rain and thunderstorms. 
• A strong wind watch has been issued for Northland from 3pm until 10pm, with 100km/h gusts predicted. 
• There is also a risk of squally thunderstorms for Northland and Auckland. 

A low-pressure system is steaming towards New Zealand from the Tasman Sea, bringing 100km/h winds and potential thunderstorms. 

MetService forecaster Surprise Mhlongo told the Herald today will be a wet day for the western and northern parts of New Zealand. 

“Looking at the North Island, we will be starting with scattered showers for the upper half,” he said. 

“In the western parts of the lower half, there will be periods of rain throughout the day.” 

Mhlongo said scattered showers would affect Northland at the start of the day before a front moves through in the second half of the day. 

“They also have a chance of periods of heavy rainfall coming through in the afternoon,” he said. 

The forecaster said strong winds would affect the North Island. 

MetService has issued a strong wind watch for Northland from 2pm until 10pm. 

Mhlongo said wind gusts were forecast to reach about 100km/h in exposed places. 

He said the Auckland region would face similar conditions throughout the day. 

“Scattered showers with periods of rain coming through in the afternoon. There is also a risk of squally thunderstorms coming through in the afternoon.” 

What’s in store for King’s Birthday weekend? 

MetService meteorologist Mathapelo Makabulane told the Herald Kiwis should expect a “noticeable cooler feeling” in the air as winter begins this weekend. 

She said that would be due to a southwesterly flow over the country. 

Makabulane said overall, the long weekend was not looking like a washout at this stage, but there would be periods of showers. 

She said coastal areas in the western parts of the country, as well as the lower South Island, could have breezy southwesterlies which might create some large waves. 

“That’s maybe a bit of an early heads-up for anybody who is thinking about being near the coast in those areas.”