Rain watch, March 18: A trickle from the heavens

The heavens didn't quite open yesterday, though rain did fall over some parched parts of the country.

There wasn't enough to call it a drought-breaker, but showers are on the agenda for most of the country today.

MetService said the rain could get heavy and persistent, especially along the east coast from Wairarapa southwards.

Northland

Northland should see a high of 27 degrees Celsius today, with fine spells and a few showers.

Auckland

A few showers with fine spells are expected for Auckland, with a high of 25C.

Bay of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty should also be sprinkled with rain. Fine spells with showers are expected for Rotorua and Tauranga. Rotorua should hit 23C, with 26C for Tauranga.

Waikato

Waikato is set for showers - Hamilton for heavy ones - with a high of 24C.

Hawke's Bay

With temperatures over 30C, Hawke's Bay will also get rain. The day is expected to start out fine, and some rain should come by in the afternoon.

Taranaki

New Plymouth is set for showers, which should get heavier in the afternoon. A high of 21C.

Manawatu/Whanganui

Manawatu and Whanganui are both set for rain today, with showers in the morning and rain in the afternoon. Temperatures about 24C.

Wellington/Wairarapa

The rain is expected to become persistent in Wellington today, with a high of 19C.

Nelson/Marlborough

A high of 22C for Nelson, with occasional rain. A northerly wind is expected to die out, with a southwesterly picking up later in the day.

West Coast

Occasional rain is set for the West Coast, expected to ease by the evening, with a high of 19C.

Canterbury

A cold Christchurch, with a high of about 15C, should have periods of rain which ease by the evening.

Otago

Rain should clear from the Otago region by the morning, and return in the afternoon. The region is set for a high of 15C, with cool southerlies.

Southland

Rain is expected to clear today, with southwesterlies and a high of 14C.

- © Fairfax NZ News