Northland is in for some rain and strong winds this weekend as a severe northwesterly weather system crashes down on the country.
MetService meteorologist Claire Flynn said Northland would likely escape the worst of the wind and rain from the system, but there was still the likelihood of rain and strong winds on Saturday and into Sunday.
"In terms of issuing a heavy rain and wind warning, it's unlikely that Northland will need that and, at this stage, we're not expecting the really severe weather to hit you.
It's more likely that the heaviest winds will be in Auckland while the really heavy rain will hit the central North Island," Ms Flynn said.
"There'll still be wind and rain for you in Northland but you shouldn't get the worst of it. A gale force wind is 63km/h and over, but in Northland it's likely the strongest winds will be 40-50km/h, but it might gust a bit higher in some places."