This week, a southwest flow brings showers to southern and western areas on Monday and Tuesday.

For the Bay of Plenty, mainly fine days with cloudy periods and southwesterly breezes will continue through to about Thursday.

Towards the end of the week, rain is expected to bring a wet weekend.

Parts of Southland and Otago will notice very strong cold winds and showers today and tomorrow. MetService has issued a Strong Wind Watch for these areas.

This is a contrast to the relatively warm temperatures and welcome rain a low-pressure system brought to the North Island on Thursday. Auckland received 60mm in 17 hours during the event, Tauranga 40mm and Hamilton 52mm.

MetService Meteorologist Andrew James explains.

"This system dragged down very humid air from the north. The large amount of moisture in the air contributed to the amount of rain."

Looking ahead, rain develops with a front on Wednesday, especially in the west. Things then settle down towards the end of the week, but models are indicating a wet weekend.

Understanding our Severe Weather Watches and Warnings

Outlooks are about looking ahead:

• To provide advanced information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings

• Issued routinely once or twice a day

• Recommendation: Plan

Watches are about being alert:

• When severe weather is possible, but not sufficiently imminent or certain for a warning to be issued

• Typically issued 1 - 3 days in advance of potential severe weather.

• During a Watch: Stay alert

Orange Warnings are about taking action:

• When severe weather is imminent or is occurring

• Typically issued 1 - 3 days in advance of potential severe weather

• In the event of an Orange Warning: Take action

Red Warnings are about taking immediate action:

• When extremely severe weather is imminent or is occurring

• Issued when an event is expected to be among the worst that we get – it will have significant impact and it is possible that a lot of people will be affected

• In the event of a Red Warning: Act now!