A moist northerly flow is expected to move across much of New Zealand this week, according to MetService.

“On Tuesday, a moist northerly flow affects the southwest of the South Island, bringing rain to Fiordland, but the risk of severe weather is minimal,” a MetService spokesperson says.

“On Wednesday, a trough preceded by a strong moist northeasterly flow moves slowly east on to New Zealand.

“There is low confidence that severe northeasterly gales will affect Northland, Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula. There is low confidence that warning amounts of rain will accumulate in Northland and moderate confidence in warning amounts of rain about Mt. Taranaki.

“There is high confidence that warning amounts of rain will accumulate in Nelson, the western ranges of Marlborough and the Westland district and a moderate confidence in warning amounts of rain over a large part of the South Island, including Fiordland, the Grey district, Buller, the west of Marlborough and the headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers.”

On Thursday, October 3, an area of low pressure and associated fronts will be directing a moist northeasterly flow on to much of the country.

“There is high confidence that warning amounts of rain will affect the Bay of Plenty, including Rotorua and the north of Gisborne.

“There is moderate confidence that warning amounts of rain will affect Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Waitomo, Taranaki, Taumarunui and Taupō. There is low confidence that warning amounts of rain will accumulate in Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago near the coast and Southland.”

By Friday, a low to the west of New Zealand will be directing a northeasterly flow on to the country.

“While rain is likely to affect many areas, the risk of severe weather is at this stage considered minimal.”

- SunLive