Look for a pretty unsettled day for much of the country.  In fact, in some areas it will be downright stormy.

Government forecaster MetService has issued warnings for heavy rain for Fiordland, Westland and the Canterbury Headwaters effective through today.  Warnings for strong wind have been posted for inland Canterbury, effective through this evening….and inland Otago effective for this morning.

Wind warnings are also up for The Marlborough Sounds, Wellington and Wairarapa south of Masterton effective through this evening.

Wind gusts of 120 km/h are possible in the exposed places of the warned areas.  140 km/h gusts are possible about the high country and foothills of inland Canterbury.

Expect showers and maybe even a few thunderstorms for the western sections of the South Island today, along with the threat for heavy rain.  That chance for heavy rain will move north for later today and this evening, affecting the northwest South Island the lower North Island.  Heavy rain warnings are not in effect for any of the North Island at this time.  However, the situation is being monitored and this may change later this morning.

The eastern South Island can expect some moderate to strong winds, but severe gales are not expected.  The balance of the North Island can also expect some moderate to strong winds, but again severe gales are not expected except for the areas included in the warning mentioned above. 

North Island residents can expect periods of showers today and then more widespread rain this afternoon and this evening.  The only areas that may wind up with a dry Sunday would be Gisborne and Hawkes Bay.

By WeatherWatch Analyst Howard Joseph