The weather across New Zealand this weekend is looking mostly settled despite two fairly nasty systems to the north and south.

A large high - which is currently over New Zealand - will slowly start to depart our skies to the east over the weekend, but will continue to keep higher pressure over the country, allowing for mostly dry weather.

But a developing low north of the country will see easterlies and clouds increasing on Sunday over the upper North Island.  Rain chances are still less than 30% (for both days) and conditions are expected to be warm.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says at the same time on Sunday an active front from Australia will push into the lower south west corner of the South Island - mainly for the West Coast - and will drive in a period of heavy rain.

In central New Zealand winds will build on Sunday and become brisk in exposed places as that high starts to depart - but it likely be mild and dry.

A question mark remains over this sub-tropical low according to WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters - most models are picking it will create torrential rain, but most also show that rain falling just off the east coast of Auckland and Northland.  It remains one to watch.

Temperatures right across the country should - for the most part - reach the low to even late 20s this weekend with overnight lows in the north moving back towards the upper teens on Sunday and Monday.

WeatherWatch.co.nz predicts some places may have their hottest weekend since summer.

- WeatherWatch.co.nz

Weeking looking like this in Te Puke, well the forecast...

Saturday

Fine, but evening cloud, chance drizzle. Northeasterly.
High 22°COvernight 16°C

Sunday

Cloudy periods, a few showers. Northeasterlies.
18 MarHigh 22°COvernight 16°C

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING.
ISSUED BY MetService AT 9:09am 18-Mar-2012 URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST IN: Fiordland, Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, Gisborne

BRIEF BURST OF HEAVY RAIN FOR FIORDLAND THIS MORNING. HEAVY RAIN EXPECTED FOR NORTHLAND, COROMANDEL PENINSULA AND GISBORNE TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.
A front is expected to cross Fiordland this morning. A brief burst of heavy rain is expected with 70 to 90mm likely in a 6 to 9 hour period. This is not an unusual amount of rain for the area but people are advised to watch out for rapidly rising streams and rivers.
A deep low is approaching New Zealand from the sub-tropics and is expected to be slow-moving tomorrow just to the north of the North Island. Its associated rain-band is expected to bring a period of heavy rain over areas from Gisborne to Northland accompanied by southeast gales. Around 150mm of rain is possible over parts of Northland, Coromandel Peninsula and Gisborne. People in these areas are advised to watch out for rapidly rising streams and rivers, slips, surface flooding and hazardous driving conditions.
FOR THE LATEST WEATHER AND FORECAST CHARTS PLEASE GO TO http://metservice.com MORE DETAILED INFORMATION FOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS AND TECHNICAL USERS FOLLOWS.
======================
HEAVY RAIN WARNING
======================
AREA/S AFFECTED: FIORDLAND
FORECAST:
Heavy rain is expected to spread north this morning. Expect 70 to 90mm in 6 hours from 7am South of Doubful Sound and from 10am north of Doubful Sound. Maximum hourly rates around 20mm per hour.
AREA/S AFFECTED: NORTHLAND
FORECAST:
Rain is expected to become heavy tonight. In the 24 hours from 9pm Sunday, expect 100 to 150mm. Some areas near the east coast may get 180-200mm. Heaviest falls may reach 25 to 30mm per hour.
AREA/S AFFECTED: COROMANDEL PENINSULA
FORECAST:
Rain should become heavy early Monday. In the 30 hours from about 6am Monday, expect 150 to 180mm. Heaviest falls may reach 25 to 30mm per hour.
AREA/S AFFECTED: GISBORNE
FORECAST:
Rain is expected to become heavy early Monday. In the 36 hours from 6am Monday expect 150 to 180mm in the ranges north of Tologa Bay and
100 to 150mm elsewhere. Heaviest falls may reach 25 to 30mm per hour.
NEXT SEVERE WEATHER WARNING WILL BE ISSUED AT OR BEFORE 9:00pm Sunday 18-Mar-2012

My forecast actually decreased the expected rainfall in 9am run, at 6am it was saying 30mm today and 60+mm tonight, 9am has it at 10mm for today and 50mm tonight.

will be interesting to see how it goes

(good day to be inside working on map anyway)

How is the GPS and ship "radar" toy going Alan?  You need to update your website History... looked a bit sad last year...

NEW Severe Weather Watch Issued

Valid to: 9:25am Monday 19 Mar 2012

SEVERE WEATHER WATCH FOR NORTHLAND,AUCKLAND,WAIKATO,COROMANDEL
PENINSULA,WAITOMO,BAY OF PLENTY ROTORUA,TAUMARUNUI,TAUPO,TAIHAPE,
GISBORNE,HAWKES BAY,TARANAKI,WESTLAND

FRONT BRINGING BRIEF HEAVY RAIN TO WESTLAND TODAY. DEEP LOW EXPECTED
TO BRING HEAVY RAIN AND GALES TO TOP OF NORTH ISLAND TOMORROW.

A front is expected to move over the South Island this morning. A
rainfall warning has been issued for Fiordland. The front should
weaken as it moves over Westland and although brief heavy rain is
also likely there, it is not expected to last long enough to reach
warning criteria.

A low is expected to approach northern New Zealand late Sunday.A
period of heavy rain with strong southeasterly gales is expected over
the top of the North Island from Taranaki to Hawkes Bay northwards.
Heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for Northland, Coromandel
Peninsula, and Gisborne. This watch is for the possibility that the
heavy rain may accumulate to warning levels over parts of Auckland,
Bay of Plenty, especially near the ranges, and Hawkes Bay.

Also, southeast winds may reach severe gale from Monday evening in
places north of a line from Mt Taranaki to East Cape. These gales are
likely to continue into Tuesday.

MetService forecasters will continue to monitor the situation and
people in the area should keep up to date with the latest forecasts
in case this watch needs to be updated to a full warning.

This Watch will be reviewed by 9pm Sunday 18 March
Forecast prepared by: Erick Brenstrum
ISSUED BY METSERVICE