Severe weather watches have been issued ahead of heavy rain and gales forecast to sweep northern New Zealand from Wednesday.
A large high lies to the east of New Zealand, while a subtropical low is forecast to slowly move to the west of the North Island later this week.
MetService says the strong and moist northeasterly wind flow between the high and low is expected to bring rain to much of the country - especially northern and western regions.
"Some areas may receive warning amounts of rain and severe northeasterly gales. Also note that large northeast swells could bring hazardous conditions to exposed coasts," MetService warned.
"Heavy rain could cause slips, surface flooding and damage to roads. Severe gales could make driving conditions hazardous, especially for motorcycles and high-sided vehicles and disruption to travel. Trees may be toppled and power lines damaged. Temporary structures such as tents could be affected.
"People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts from MetService since it is likely that further watches will be issued and some of the watches may be upgraded to warnings."
MetService's severe weather outlook
For Northland, there is moderate confidence that rainfall amounts and the wind strength will reach warning criteria on Wednesday and Thursday.
For Auckland, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula, there is moderate confidence rainfall amounts will reach warning criteria on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
For Auckland, Great Barrier Island and eastern Waikato, there is moderate confidence of severe east to northeast gales in exposed places on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
For Bay of Plenty, there is moderate confidence that a rainfall warning will be needed on Thursday and Friday, and low confidence on Saturday.
For northwest Tasman, there is moderate confidence of heavy rain on Thursday and Friday.
For Westland south of Otira and Fiordland, there is low confidence rainfall amounts will reach warning criteria on Thursday and Friday, mainly about the ranges.
