Weather: Heavy rain travels up the country towards lower North Island

24-hour accumulated rainfall on Monday (left) and Tuesday (right).
24-hour accumulated rainfall on Monday (left) and Tuesday (right). Photo credit: WeatherWatch

After a long weekend of rapidly-changing weather, New Zealanders are in for a moderate start to the week. 

As a cold front moves up the country, the lower North Island is set to be hit by rain for most of Tuesday, with a chance of heavy rain in the Tararua Ranges.

Mild temperatures, morning cloud and isolated showers will dominate the rest of the North Island.

Auckland and Whangarei will get the country's best weather after the long weekend - both partly cloudy with highs of 20 and 22.

Auckland and Northland are "on the boundary" from getting some showers as the South Island's cold front moves into the North Island, WeatherWatch says.

Palmerston North is on a heavy rain watch warning all-day Tuesday, and Taupo will be mostly cloudy, with rain in the afternoon.

Wellington is set for showers with a 70 percent chance of precipitation.

On Tuesday, showers will dominate the top of the South Island as the cold front moves up the country through Nelson, Westport and Blenheim.

Further down, Christchurch and Queenstown will be cloudy sharing a low of three degrees. Most of the South Island is forecast for cool temperatures.

On Wednesday, isolated showers and cloudy periods are forecast for Auckland and Whangarei.

Heavy overnight rain will ease in the morning for Palmerston North, with fine spells in the afternoon.

The lower North Island is scheduled for cloud and rain on Wednesday, easing in the afternoon for Taranaki and Taumarunui. Wellington will have fine spells in the afternoon. 

The South Island will be mainly fine on Wednesday, with morning cloud and light winds for most places.