Wild weather is expected to batter much of the country this weekend, just as summer is meant to be kicking into gear.

MetService has issued a severe weather warning as a front over the Tasman Sea moved over Fiordland overnight tonight.

It is then expected to move over much of the South Island tomorrow morning and then onto the North Island in the afternoon.

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The front brings with it strong north-westerly winds with heavy rain in the west and gales in the east, MetService warned.

Fiordland would be pounded by rain this morning where 100 to 150 millimetres of rain could accumulate.

The rain would then move over South Westland this afternoon.

Severe gales were possible around inland parts of Otago and Canterbury this afternoon and parts of Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay tomorrow.

Gusts could reach 140 kph around Central Hawkes Bay and the Tararua District tomorrow morning.

MetService warned that the winds could damage trees and powerlines and could make driving hazardous.

- APNZ