A thick blanket of fog has rolled over downtown Auckland this morning ahead of a “potent front” that is forecast to sweep up the country tonight.
Forecasters say the front brings the risk of heavy rain and strong winds for many regions.
MetService meteorologist Silvia Martino said fog sat above the Manukau Harbour overnight, but as the sun rose, fingers of fog slid east to blanket central Auckland.
Martino said the sun was starting to get a bit stronger as spring approached, so thefog would clear “reasonably early” this morning.
“It’s thick if you’re right in the midst of it, but it’s not a super huge bank of fog that’s going to take ages to burn off for the most part.”
She said the fog was expected to lift to reveal clear skies across the morning with showers hitting after lunch.
MetService forecaster Michael Pauley said from this evening, pretty much everywhere is going to get wet.
“The lovely fine weather we have been having is going away.”
The front will make landfall at the bottom of the South Island this morning, bringing heavy falls to the West Coast.
“There is a chance of thunderstorms and small hail stretching all the way up from Fiordland to Buller,” Pauley said.
A heavy rain watch is in place for the affected regions until mid-afternoon.
Several Watches and Warnings are in place today and tomorrow as a rain band moves in from the north and a cold front approach from the south.
— MetService (@MetService) August 26, 2025
🌧️ Rain Watchesfor Gisborne, Westland ranges, Fiordland, and the headwaters of Otago/Canterbury lakes and rivers (mainly south of Arthur’s… pic.twitter.com/PlY9FVOptt
Between 100-140mm of rain is forecast, with peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h.
“Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions [are] possible.”
Strong wind watches are also in place for Marlborough and the Canterbury High Country until this afternoon.
Niwa said the “potent front” will bring strong westerly winds, which could exceed 100km/h in the alps and the interiors of Canterbury and Otago.
⚠️ Thursday will be a busy weather day in the South Island as a potent front moves north:
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) August 27, 2025
🌧️ Heavy rain for the West Coast
❄️ High-elevation snowfall in the Alps
🍃 Strong westerly winds that may exceed 100 km/h in the Alps and the interiors of Canterbury and Otago pic.twitter.com/xv3qvlgAfb
Meanwhile, Pauley said much of the central North Island will start fine because it will take some time for the front to move up the country.
It will also be a fine start for Auckland, with just some cloud around.
“Then more clouds will build in and rain will be coming in during the evening,” Pauley said.
Showers will linger in the region once the front moves through overnight.
“We end up in that showerly westerly flow. There will be some fine patches, and there will be showers,” Pauley said.
“Depending on where you are will depend on what stuff you get. The showers will be more localised.”
Temperatures are forecast to rise as the country slowly moves into spring.
“Parts of Canterbury are going to be getting to 18C, while in the North Island, we’re going to be seeing temperatures that are warmer than average for this time of year,” Pauley said.
According to MetService, Auckland is forecast to reach a high of 18C and fall to a low of 12C, while Hamilton will reach a high of 17C and fall to a low of 10C.
David Williams is an Auckland-based Multimedia Journalist who joined the Herald in 2023. He covers breaking news and general topics.