Weather tipped to turn to heavy downfalls later in week

Chelsea Peacock (left) and Cromwell Reeves from Texas spent the early evening fishing at Pandora Pond in Napier yesterday. Photo/Paul Taylor

While the start of the week's weather has been a mix of fine spells and light showers there's a possibility it could all deteriorate to heavy downfalls on Thursday.

MetService meteorologist Sarah Sparks said things would get "a bit tricky" on Thursday as rain developed as a result of a rapid low passing over the country.

Strong winds would accompany the rain but while heavy downpours were possible Ms Sparks said it wouldn't be anything like the wild weather last week.

A front was due to approach Hawke's Bay last night, resulting in a rainy start to today which will go on to clear by late morning.

"Then you're looking at mostly fine weather for the rest of the day. The front . . . will bring southwesterly winds."

Ms Sparks said the forecast for tomorrow was mostly fine, with cloudy periods until the afternoon and northerly winds.

Last night there was low confidence the Tararua Range would reach rainfall accumulations that reached warning amounts on Thursday and Friday.

The forecast also noted moderate confidence that southerly gales would become severe in Wellington, coastal Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay on Saturday.

Ms Sparks said rain should ease to showers on Friday, with Saturday forecast for more showers and southwest winds.

Today is forecast to reach a high of 14C; a temperature which should rise throughout the week to reach 17C on Thursday and Friday.

"This is because ahead of the low is a strong northerly flow bringing warm air down from the north," Ms Sparks said.

Yesterday an area warning for the Napier Taupo Rd was lifted and a single lane on State Highway 38 from Wairoa to Te Urewera National Park was open, with road users advised to take extra care because of ongoing slips.