Warmer weather but no respite from the rain

Rain - some heavy - is expected in much of the country today. However, warmer temperatures are a consolation.

There are several weather warnings and watches in place at the moment, particularly in the South Island.

The MetService has issued warnings for Buller, Westland and Fiordland, as well as the headwaters of Canterbury and Otago, where heavy rain is forecast.

There are severe northwest gales expected in Wellington and southern Wairarapa, while a severe weather watch is in place for areas including the Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Nelson, Marlborough and Southland.

Auckland is in for a comfortable temperature high of 20C today, with an overnight low of 14C. However, expect showers that are not forecast to clear until this evening.

Those in Hamilton and around the Waikato will get a cloudy day with occasional rain and northeasterly winds. The temperature is also a warm 20C high.

It's a rainy day in Tauranga and there are occasional showers forecast in Whangarei, where there is a 21C high.

New Plymouth has a 19C high and overnight low of 11C; while Napier has an expected temperature high of 23C, high cloud and afternoon and evening rain.

Wellington has strong gusty northwest winds today, with occasional rain and a high of 17C.

MetService meteorologist William Nepe said much of the North Island would have temperatures around the late-teens to early twenties today.

"We've got this front that's moving across [the country] now and then behind it, the air is still reasonably warm. And then this evening into tomorrow -- mostly across the South Island -- there is a cooler air-change. But it's not cold, per se.

"We've got temperatures in the sort of the mid-teens across the country today and then across the South Island they might drop into the low doubles or high single temperatures."

In the South Island, Nelson is in for rain clearing in the evening and "brisk northerlies."

Blenheim has similar conditions and a high of 18C, with an overnight low of 7C.

Those in Christchurch will be happy with their fine day forecast. However, there may be "a few spots of rain" and gusty northwest winds, the MetService said.

Queenstown will get occasional rain, with a chilly overnight low of 3C tonight and an expected high of 13C during the day.

People in Dunedin will see a cloudy day with showers later this evening, while those in Invercargill are in for a windy day and a high of 16C.

Mr Nepe said heavy rain in parts of the South Island was due to continue today through to tomorrow. As a result, the severe weather warnings issued over those parts will remain also.

"There's another front moving through tomorrow and it this front moves today and things ease off a little tonight in the South Island.

"Another one comes through tomorrow -- bringing another period of rain. And then things turn south-west and settle down. But not settle down completely."