It will still be a hot day out in the City of Sails, though, with a temperature high of 25C forecast and an overnight low of 14C tomorrow.

The annual Farmers Santa Parade, in downtown Auckland, celebrates its 92nd birthday this year and always attracts a huge crowd of children and adults alike.

Organisers will make the call whether to postpone the parade by tomorrow morning, when an announcement is made via its official website and Facebook page at 9am. The current scheduled postponement date is set for next Sunday, December 7.

Heavy rain warnings and watches

Further south, heavy rain and strong winds are set to affect parts of central and southern New Zealand tomorrow.

“A deep low crosses the lower South Island during Sunday, bringing a period of heavy rain and strong winds to parts of the country.

“Warnings and watches for heavy rain and strong winds are in force.”

MetService is advising people in those areas to stay up-to-date with the latest forecasts.

Fiordland south of Dusky Sound has a heavy (orange) rain warning in place effectively the whole day tomorrow, from 6am to 9pm.

Between 100mm and 120mm of rain is expected to fall in that time, with peak rates of 20mm to 30mm/h expected tomorrow afternoon.

“Streams and rivers may rise rapidly – surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions possible.”

Residents in the area are told there is a minimal chance this will be upgraded to a red warning, MetService said.

Members of the public should nevertheless clear drains and gutters to prepare for the heavy rain.

“Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.”

A heavy rain watch is in place for parts of the South Island.

In the ranges of Tasman district west of Motueka, and Buller, north of Karamea, a watch is in place between 11am and 7pm.

Locals are advised periods of heavy rain with thunderstorms are possible – and rainfall amounts may approach “warning criteria”.

MetService says there is a chance this watch will be upgraded to a warning, so people are advised to keep an eye on weather updates.

The ranges of Westland are also under a rain watch from 10am and 6pm; as well as the Headwaters of the Canterbury Lakes and Rivers for the same time period.

Meanwhile, a strong wind watch is in place for a number of areas, including in Wellington from 2pm to 9pm tomorrow.

Northerly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places, with a moderate chance of this being upgraded to a warning, weather authorities say.

A strong wind watch is also set for Canterbury High Country north of Twizel and Canterbury Plains towards the foothills from 1pm to midnight.

A wind watch is also in place from 5pm to midnight in Southland south of Lumsden, Clutha and Dunedin.

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