The low that formed over Auckland during the weekend rolls its way down the east coast this week, bringing sustained south-easterly winds to Tauranga today as well as potential flooding in Gisborne.

According to the MetService, up to 25cm of snow could accumulate above 800 metres in Hawke's Bay and Taihape, with lesser amounts to 600m. Up to 25cm could also hit the summit of the Desert Road.

Photo: File.

A section of State Highway 2 between Opotiki and Gisborne is currently closed due to flooding at Te Karaka, with delays of approximately four hours expected.

The NZ Transport Agency has also warned of flooding this morning on State Highway 35 between Tolaga Bay and Tokomaru Bay. They are urging drivers in the area to be cautious.

A blocking ridge of high pressure to the east keeps the low loitering around the East Cape, before it slowly moves south. Late on Thursday, another low approaches from the north Tasman Sea, absorbing its predecessor and passing around the upper North Island on Friday.

A thin ridge holds over the far south until Wednesday, but the best of the weather will be found on the West Coast of the South Island.

A severe rain warning is currently is force for the Bay of Plenty and the Gisborne region south of Tolaga Bay as well as Hawkes Bay. A watch is out for Wairarapa.

Before an expected rise in temperatures next week, rain will fall as snow in the hills, with a good chance of a top up on Mount Ruapehu today.

The strong winds which have buffeted central and southern parts of the North Island should begin to ease on Tuesday as the low slowly weakens, but will pick up again later in the week as the next low approaches.

'As the low drags warmer air down from the tropics, temperatures will rise from the chilly weekend,” says meteorologist Tom Adams. 'But the chance of low cloud and fog affecting airports increases, particularly in the early part of next week.”

The marine forecast for the next three days is for winds of about 15-knots, starting today as a southerly, rising to 25-knots this evening. The sea will become rough, with a north-east swell of one metre and poor visibility in showers.

Tuesday starts out with a 15-knot south-easterly that swings to the south-west by Tuesday night, before backing around to the south-east again late on Wednesday.