Batten down the hatches, we're set for a wet start to spring

Spring lambs, Cornwall Park, Auckland. Photo / Michael Craig, Herald on Sunday

Batten down the hatches - spring is on the way and its first week brings wet and windy weather.

Tuesday marks the season change and by then much of New Zealand will be in the grip of a wild system carrying lashing winds and heavy rain.

"It's bad news for people in Auckland," said MetService meteorologist Emma Blades.

This weekend will be wet as a front hits the country.

"But that's not the worst of it. An area of low pressure deepens off the coast, northwest of the North Island. This could mean heavy rain and strong winds for Monday and Tuesday in Northland, Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula."

City of Sails residents will get some respite tomorrow when the rain clears for a time, but it's unlikely they'll see any blue sky as cloud hangs over them before the next bout of wet and wind.

Later in the week expect a few showers.

Forecasters would keep a close eye on the system to see if any severe weather warnings were needed, Mrs Blades said.

"As it sweeps east across the country there's also a chance of heavy rain for Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, north of Taupo and Wairarapa and Marlborough as it goes through on Tuesday or Wednesday."

Western areas could also be in for severe gales when the wild weather feature unloads.

Wellington has an okay start to the week, with a few showers on Monday, but conditions get wetter.

"The winds will pick up on Tuesday as the area of low pressure moves across," Mrs Blades said.

Rain is forecast in the capital on Wednesday and Thursday, coupled with southwesterly winds.

"It's not looking like a particularly pleasant week."

The South Island doesn't look as bad, although the same system causing havoc in the north would affect eastern areas.

Mrs Blades said rain would move into Christchurch on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Temperatures were expected to be around average.

Highs in Auckland would hover about 16 or 17C, Wellington about 11 or 12C and Christchurch about 13C.

Next weekend might not be too flash in Auckland either, as long-range forecasts suggest blustery gale-force winds picking up on Friday and continuing into Saturday.

WeatherWatch today warned of a low to moderate risk of isolated power cuts caused by the winds, according to the early data available.

- NZME