As predicted by WeatherWatch.co.nz earlier this week "spring-like" weather is today pushing across New Zealand bringing flooding, extra warmth and severe gales.

On the West Coast WeatherWatch.co.nz has received reports of flooding, from Runanga and also Dobson.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says the heavy rain has shifted mostly into the upper South Island and may not clear for some parts until overnight. Rain warnings are currently in force.

"The band of rain is clearing some parts of the West Coast but then we have heavy showers moving in".

Mr Duncan says as of 5pm the main front was moving towards Cook Strait, Taranaki and the lower North Island.

In Wellington severe gales are blowing across the city and surrounding regions with gusts well over 100km/h in the city centre reports WeatehrWatch.co.nz.

But it's not all bad news - the windy weather boosted temperatures in the north and east today. Christchurch was 19 degrees this afternoon while many other main centres across New Zealand were in the mid to late teens.

In Auckland today conditions have been calm, partly cloudy and mostly dry apart from a few brief drizzle patches around the middle of the day.

And for this evening's rugby in Hamilton conditions look mostly dry but a few showers are likely.