The South Island is due to get a reprieve from extreme, high temperatures as the former Tropical Cyclone Fehi makes its way there today.
The storm will bring a reprieve to the dry, hot temperatures. Photo: 123RF
While the storm is not expected to hit in earnest until tomorrow, heavy rain is forecast for Southland, Otago and parts of Canterbury, and gale-force winds are expected for Buller and Westland.
Fire crews and helicopters are remaining vigilant in drought-stricken Central Otago, despite rain forecast for parts of the region overnight.
The risk of fire have been pushed to extreme levels, thanks to high temperatures mixed with rising winds and low humidity.
Jamie Cowan from Fire and Emergency told Morning Report although rain is predicted, it brings in a change of wind, which can still cause problems.
The storm will bring significant heavy rain to the west and south of the South Island from late today until early Friday, and strong gale-force winds in the west and north.
The heaviest rain is expected for Westland and Fiordland.
Strong northeasterly gales are expected to hit Westland and Buller tomorrow morning.
The forecaster MetService is also warning of possible coastal damage from the combination of strong winds, heavy swells and high tides along the West Coast and Nelson tomorrow.
It said people in those areas should keep up-to-date with warnings and forecasts.
The hot temperatures will be unchanged for most of the country today.
Chris Brandolino from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) said preliminary numbers indicate January will not only be the warmest January on record, but the warmest of any month on record going back to 1909.
It will be a "pretty beefy storm" - Chris Brandolino
A stopbank near the coastal town of Kaiaua has been raised, and residents are being warned to prepare for the worst, as the second storm in less than a month approaches.
The forecaster MetService says a loitering low could bring a short, sharp sting to the Firth of Thames tomorrow afternoon.
Wind and rain are expected to coincide with the high tide at 8.45 tomorrow night, and again on Friday morning, before the bad weather passes late on Friday.
A Hauraki District Council spokesperson says officials are working with the regional council and meteorologists to monitor the situation.
In the meantime, he's urging residents to make a plan if they need to evacuate, and to lift items off the floor and secure them.
Brandolino said that although Fehi is no longer a tropical cyclone, it will hit and engage with a separate cold front turning it into a "pretty beefy storm".
He said the centre of the storm is due to arrive off the coast of Hokitika at about 1pm tomorrow as a king tide hits.
Today's weather forecast
Auckland
Cloud increasing from afternoon and one or two showers developing. Northeasterlies picking up. High 27°C; Low 21°C
Hamilton
Mainly fine, but some morning cloud. Northeasterlies developing. High 26°C; Low 19°C
Tauranga
Often cloudy, with a few light showers. Northeast, picking up at night. High 25°C; Low 21°C
Wellington
Morning cloud, then mainly fine. Strong northerlies. High 24°C; Low 20°C
Christchurch
Morning low cloud or fog clearing to fine, high cloud from evening. Gusty northerlies developing afternoon. High 33°C; Low 20°C
Dunedin
Morning low cloud or fog clearing, then fine with high cloud. Gusty northerlies. High 34°C; Low 16°C
Invercargill
Fine and hot with high cloud. Rain from early evening as gusty northerlies change southerly. High 31°C; Low 12°C
- MetService