Updated 8am Sunday — Here’s what is making the weather headlines …

WARNINGS A PLENTY – WIND, RAIN

A very strong northwesterly airflow over the South Island and lower North Island brings heavy rain to the West Coast today and very strong winds, especially in the east.

Metservice have issued a fair few warnings, northwesterlies for Canterbury and through Cook Strait are of most concern with severe gales likely.

More here from Metservice.

WEATHER ON SUNDAY

A strong northwesterly airflow lies over the country, a front moves off the upper North Island away to the northeast meanwhile a cold front pushes northwards over the South Island. Heavy rain for the West Coast, instability in the south.

North Island

Showers in the morning for the upper North Island (Northland through to Bay Of Plenty), progressively clearing at first in the far north then eventually through into Bay Of Plenty as a front moves away to the northeast, sunny areas then develop. Occasional showers in the west Waikato south, mostly sunny in the east. Northwesterly winds for all, strong to gale through Cook Strait and about Wellington.

South Island

Heavy rain for the West Coast, thunderstorms and hail possible too especially for South Westland, rain eases later in the afternoon or evening to showers. Dry for Nelson and Marlborough then showers move in around midday, clearing evening. Mostly sunny in the east with morning high cloud breaking away, heavy rain in the high country further inland, easing from afternoon, clearing evening, northwesterlies strong at times especially afternoon with gales possible then easing in the evening. Rain moves into Southland during the morning then Otago afternoon (heavy rain for the Lakes District), there may be a few thunderstorms with hail then easing / clearing in the evening with showers retreating to coastal Southland, winds ramp up from the west in the afternoon (strong for coastal areas) then easing later in the day.

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