There aren’t too many serious weather risks around New Zealand through Thursday – though heavy rain and some strong winds will make themselves felt in places well accustomed to both.

Rain on the West Coast of the South Island becomes heavy overnight, and though Coasters are used to this, it could cause some problems in spots prone to flooding.

Northwesterly winds become strong about Cook Strait in the afternoon, as well as the outer Marlborough Sounds and perhaps the Wellington area too.
Winds will pick up overnight about North Canterbury – especially inland – and also Marlborough, with strong winds about exposed areas like river gorges.
Northwesterly winds will pick up and may gust to gale force at times about the Cook Strait area overnight too.

– Aaron Wilkinson & Drew Chappell, WeatherWatch.co.nz

– Photo: Zelda Wynn