Pretty stable weekend in Northland weather wise, heavy rain and gales on Monday

Heavy rain is expected to lash Northland as Tropical Cyclone Hola comes closer to New Zealand. Photo / Tania Whyte

Make the most of mostly fine weather this weekend before a weakened Tropical Cyclone Hola brings rain and gale force winds to Northland.

MetService meteorologist April Clark said the weather over the weekend was "pretty stable" with fine spells and isolated showers expected in Northland.

However, severe weather with heavy rain and gale force winds of 65km/h or more is forecast for Northland from Monday morning until the evening when it is expected to gradually ease.

Ms Clark said where in New Zealand Tropical Cyclone Hola, which was likely to be situated between Vanuatu and New Caledonia last night, would hit first was unclear.

MetService said it would become more clear tomorrow just how much rain could fall on Monday.

Fine weather is forecast in Northland for the rest of next week with daytime temperatures in the mid 20s dropping to between 15C and 16C over night.

Forecasters say although the tropical cyclone has weakened, it still poses a "serious risk" for New Zealand.

The cyclone that has been battering parts of Vanuatu with wind gusts of up to 230km/h has been downgraded from Category 4 to Category 3.