Uesi may have technically lost its tropical cyclone status but it’s still a storm with a punch and will reach the South Island on Sunday with gales, heavy rain and dangerous seas.

For the most part the ex-tropical storm is a rainmaker with 150mm likely in 24 hours on the West Coast.

Waves of up to 8m are also forecast. Next week the humidity left behind will help spark some decent downpours in the North Island – but it’s hit and miss.