A frontal boundary will be pushing across the country this weekend.  This will be the focus for wind and rain today and tomorrow.  Heavy rain and strong winds are expected in some parts of the country, especially for the lower and western South Island as well as the lower North Island.  For that reason, government forecaster MetService has issued the following warnings:

 

Heavy Rain Warning

Westland Ranges south of Mt. Cook

Rain is expected to become heavy at times from this afternoon to early Sunday morning.  During that time, expect 80 to 100mm of rain to fall.  The heaviest falls are expected this evening when intensities may reach 20 mm/hr.

Strong Wind Warning

Inland parts of Otago and Canterbury

Northwesterlies are forecast to become blustery this morning with gales in exposed places.  This afternoon, severe gale gusts of 120 km/h are possible in exposed inland places, especially around and east of the hills and ranges of Central and North Otago and about the Canterbury High Country.  Winds are expected to ease late Saturday night in Otago and overnight or early tomorrow morning in Canterbury.

Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay

West to northwest winds are expected to become strong and gusty Saturday night with gales in exposed places.  During Sunday, widespread gales are likely with severe gale gusts of 120 km/h in exposed places.  Gusts could peak at near 140 km/h Sunday morning.

 

Strong winds are also possible later today into early Sunday about Wellington and the Kapiti Coast, although widespread severe gales are not expected at this time.  A few exposed areas could see some severe gale gusts.

Heavy rain is also possible on Sunday about Taranaki, the Kapiti Coast and Wellington.

Homepage image/ CH Davis

By Howard Joseph, WeatherWatch.co.nz