Wet week ahead for most of NZ

Anyone waiting for some sunshine to get their washing done should make the most of today as the country prepares for a wet week.

Today is expected to be the coldest day of the week ahead, but from tomorrow Kiwis in many regions will be lucky to see sun, said MetService meteorologist Tom Adams.

“Sunday is the nicest day of the coming seven days,” Adams said.

“It depends what you’re into, but if you don’t like it raining, [today’s] definitely the day.”

The morning will start cold and frosty, with mixed temperatures “struggling into the mid teens”, but light winds and clear skies for most of the country.

Tomorrow is a different story, with a “complex trough” moving overhead, bringing rain and clouds.

“If you happen to be working through the weekend and have Monday and Tuesday off, you’re going to be in a very unfortunate situation,” Adams said.

The slow moving system will cause heavy rains to linger in most of the main centres, although Christchurch may catch some clear skies.

“The effect of this trough will be felt across the country through into the following weekend.”

Temperatures would not be particularly cold and there should not be strong winds initially.

MetService has put out a severe weather outlook to warn of heavy rain tomorrow and Tuesday throughout the central North Island and from Taranaki to the Bay of Plenty.

There could also be heavy rain around the west coast of the South Island, Buller and Nelson.

“It’s just going to feel a bit miserable,” Adams said.

On the bright side, the ski fields should receive good top-ups, he said.