A weather system is expected to move up the country tomorrow bringing gusty winds and heavy rain to parts of the South Island.
MetService said an active front, preceded by strong northerlies, moves across the South Island during late Wednesday and early Thursday.
As the front moves upwards, it is expected to bring rain mostly to the West Coast of the south of the island.
"A weather system marches up the South Island on Wednesday, with the far southwest set for gusty winds and Westland ranges seeing heavy rain at times," MetService said.
The forecasting agency said there is moderate confidence that warning amounts of rain will fall in the Westland District, and low confidence that a rain warning will be needed in the Grey, Buller and western Tasman Districts and for the Tararua Range.
A heavy rain watch has been issued for the ranges of Westland District from Wednesday evening until Thursday morning.
A strong wind watch has been issued for parts of Fiordland from 10am to 6pm Wednesday.
During Friday, MetService said the front is expected to continue moving over the North Island and weaken. A ridge of high pressure is expected to move onto the South Island during the day.
"There is likely to be some areas of rain in the North Island, and there is low confidence that amounts will reach warning criteria about the Tararua Range," MetService said.
On Saturday, a large high is expected to move over the country and there is minimal risk of severe weather. This high is expected to continue to cover most of the country on Sunday. High-pressure systems normally associated with dry weather and mostly clear skies.
Here's MetService's extended forecast:
Thursday
North Island: Partly cloudy in the west, with rain developing south of Auckland later. Mainly fine elsewhere. South Island: Rain in the west, spreading north and clearing. Partly cloudy with scattered showers in the east.
Friday
North Island: Rain spreading north, but gradually clearing in the south and west through the day. South Island: Early rain in the north clearing. A few showers in the far south. Mainly fine elsewhere.
Saturday
Showers about Northland, inland Hawke's Bay and Gisborne, and for Stewart Island. A fine day elsewhere.
Chatham Islands
Showers and northwesterlies on Thursday, then a period of rain early Friday with a fresh southwest change. Becoming partly cloudy with southwesterlies later on Friday, continuing through Saturday.
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