Heavy rain and strong winds are back in the forecast after several weeks of quiet weather. 

Heavy rain warnings have been issued for parts of the South Island with the possibility of wind warnings being added too in the North Island.

Much needed rain is on the way for the West Coast as an aggressive low well south of the country fires up a solid rain maker.

While the low isn’t going to directly cross the country it will have an affect on the nation as it competes with an anticyclone over the North Island.

The high (anticyclone) will slow down the rain band during Friday prompting the crown forecaster to issue rain warnings today. 

Meanwhile the pressure gradient between the high in the north and the low in the south will mean gale force winds for central parts of the country.  Most exposed will be Wellington, Wairarapa, the Marlborough Sounds and the eastern side of the Southern Alps.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the winds will be strongest between from Friday night to Saturday night.

Warnings (as of 11pm Thursday Night) 

The Westland ranges south of Otira. In the 21 hours from noon Friday to 9am Saturday, 170 to 200mm is expected. Heaviest falls after 9pm, with maximum intensities up to 30mm/hr.  

The headwaters south of Arthurs Pass. In the 21 hours from noon Friday to 9am Saturday, expect up to 140mm near the Divide, and over 80mm within 10km east of the Divide. Heaviest falls after 9pm Friday.  MetService.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz