Tomorrow's forecast may be improving but Lelia Masaga is bracing himself for a storm of his own making against Counties-Manukau.
Twelve months ago, the current Steamers wing was himself running around in red, white and black hoops, playing mentor to a crop of young outside backs in the Pukekohe-based province.
Now he'sin the perfect place to assess the dangers of the lethal Steelers back-three, Sherwin Stowers, Tim Nanai-Williams and Ahsee Tuala.
"They're exciting young players who are really keen to get Super rugby contracts," Masaga, who has scored five tries for the Steamers already this season, said. "There aren't many players around that break the line like they do so we'll really have to be wary of them, get our defence up and shut them down."
A 10-day turnaround since their rout of Manawatu hasn't helped the Steamers injury cause, although Luke Braid returns to blindside flanker and John Pareanga makes his way back to hooker.
Sevens star Solomon King failed a late fitness test on his injured ankle, however, and will have to wait at least another week before trying to prove his fitness ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
Masaga's only contact with his old side this week has been with his good mate, Counties centre Siale Piutau: "He asked me to slow down when I went around him!" - otherwise, he's been keeping his head down, studying plenty of video footage."
It's the man inside Piutau - former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga - that Masaga rates as having the biggest influence on the Counties ranks this year, however.
The cellar-dwellers of the last few seasons have come good in a hurry under the guidance of Umaga and former Steamers assistant coach and halfback Milton Haig, ever since Umaga returned from a stint in France.
They've already won four games this season and are sitting two points ahead of the Steamers on the ITM Cup table.
