Auckland's wild weather easing

MetService said a low system moving across the country would bring a "reasonably messy situation". Photo / Metservice Twitter

The rain band expected to lash Auckland with wild weather this afternoon is easing earlier than expected, a forecaster says.

Conditions were easing now, but there was still a chance of an isolated thunderstorm in Auckland later this afternoon, WeatherWatch head analyst Phillip Duncan said.

"In South Auckland expect a burst of heavy rain and wind before 1pm, then easing," he said.

"Dry spells increase this afternoon but there is the chance of an isolated heavy shower later this afternoon with an isolated thunderstorm. Sunny spells also increase."

However, it was unlikely Auckland would experience extreme weather, he said.

"This is a low end system and WeatherWatch.co.nz is not expecting severe weather in Auckland."

Meanwhile, MetService meteorologist Ciaran Doolin said a low system moving across the country would bring a "reasonably messy situation" with some heavy rainfall.

The remainder of Friday would be showery in Auckland, while occasional showers and some heavy rain would fall in the region tomorrow, he said.

"If you're going to the rugby, be prepared for a shower or two," he said.

The low would bring showers down the West Coast as well, he said.

"The trend will basically move south down the North Island and spread across the South Island this afternoon and this evening, continuing a trend of rain or showers over much of the country."

The low will also bring a considerable amount of thunderstorm activity in the Far North, he said.

"The low is bringing a series of features moving over the country today, with the main part of the country affected so far being the Far North and Auckland.

"There could be some quite heavy falls in the Far North and thunderstorm activity this afternoon and over the weekend."

Parts of the South Island might also experience heavy rainfall and the far south - including Central Otago, Southland, Clutha and Dunedin - could get snow down to 400 or 500 metres, he said.

"There'll be fine spells here and there, but it's basically going to be a bleak couple of days, unfortunately."

Regional outlook:

• Whangarei: Chance of thunder and strong northeasterly winds today with quite an active rainband bringing some heavy falls. Occasional showers and fresh southwesterlies on Saturday, and occasional showers and southerly winds on Sunday.

• Auckland: Showery today, with possibility of thunder. Occasional showers and possible heavy falls on Saturday. Occasional showers and fresh southwesterlies turning slightly southerly on Sunday.

• Hamilton: Showers today with some considerable rain this afternoon and strengthening northeasterly winds. Occasional showers and fresh southwesterlies on Saturday. Occasional showers and southwesterlies turning south east on Sunday.

• Tauranga: Showers today with possibility of heavy rainfall this afternoon and strengthening northeasterly winds. Possibly heavy rain easing to showers on Saturday morning and a southwest change. Fine on Sunday with a few showers developing and southwesterly winds turning southeasterly.

• Wellington: Mostly cloudy today with occasional rain in the evening and northerly winds. Early rain on Saturday and possible showers and light winds throughout the day. Occasional showers and southerlies developing on Sunday morning.

• Christchurch: High cloud today with a few spits of rain from the afternoon and strong northeasterly winds. Mostly cloudy on Saturday with late rain and northeasterly winds. Showers clearing in the evening on Sunday and dying southerly winds.

• Dunedin: High cloud with a few spots of rain today and strong northeasterly winds, which ease later. Occasional rain and developing northeasterlies on Saturday, and possibility of snow down to 400 or 500 metres. Showers clearing and becoming fine on Sunday with southerlies dying out.