Wild weather tipped to continue today

Upper North Island residents battering wet and windy weather will have a day's respite from the foul conditions, with a new front expected to bring more dreary conditions on Monday.

MetService meteorologist Ian Gall said heavy rain and strong winds in the top half of the North Island would ease later this evening and overnight.

A Sunday in the outdoors for those north of Ruapehu and Taranaki was still on the cards, however a new front over the North Island would bring more rain and winds on Monday.

"There's some pretty vigorous weather," he said.

For today, Mr Gall said lightning strikes and heavy showers were possible in Waikato. Thunderstorms were also expected, which could also bring squalls to the the region.

While the wild weather downed trees around Auckland yesterday afternoon, and caused debris to fall on one man in the central city, there were no extreme weather-related call outs attended by emergency services overnight.

The man, who was was on the corner of Greys Ave and Mayoral drive, was taken to Auckland Hospital with moderate injuries.

Mr Gall said the gusts had reached up to 95 km/h in Northland and between 65 to 80 km/h in centres like Auckland, Tauranga and the Coromandel.

The changeable weather was typical of this time of year, Mr Gall said.

"It's exciting Spring weather."

Residents in the bottom half of the North Island seemed to be better off, with only a few showers expected for those in Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and Wellington this weekend. Mixed weather was expected on Monday, with winds and showers being forecast.

In the South Island, the West Coast would be drenched for much of today and tomorrow.

Showers, heavy at times, were likely to continue through the weekend.

Those on the East Coast were more sheltered and should look forward to relatively fine weather through to Monday.

However, Christchurch residents would have to overcome a relatively dreary day today, with the possibility of hail, Mr Gall said.

IN THE MAIN CENTRES

Auckland should fine up tomorrow, with a high of 18C. North west winds and rain back on Monday, high of 20C.

Wellington will have relatively fine weather through to Monday, with high temperatures of around 17C over the next few days.

Christchurch will warm up after today. Tomorrow's high is 19C, pushing up to 20C on Monday.

Dunedin will have similar weather to Christchurch, with a high of 20C tomorrow and Monday.