Gale force winds have affected some parts of the South Island overnight and today strong winds continue in some areas as the cold front slowly moves northwards thanks to a low in the Southern Ocean.

Rain will be heaviest on the West Coast.
Winds strongest through Cook Strait, The Southern Alps and the southern half of the South Island
Warmest weather in the east of both islands, especially the North Island.

Tomorrow the front heads into the North Island and weakens a lot while conditions ease in the South Island.

– Aaron Wilkinson and Philip Duncan, WeatherWatch.co.nz