Heavy rain and damaging gales on the way

Get ready for rain. Photo / File

Heavy rain and "damaging" gale force winds are expected across New Zealand this week.

The MetService has issued a severe weather watch across the country, saying the ranges of the upper South Island and central North Island will get the severest gales tomorrow and on Saturday.

A large low will move over the Tasman Sea today, and is likely to spread a band of rain and strengthening easterlies over the North Island and upper South Island in the next few days.

Heavy rain is expected for the east coast of the North Island, and southeasterly gales for the west coast of the South Island.

In Hawke's Bay and Gisborne more than 100mm of rain may fall in 24 hours, from Friday morning through to Saturday evening.

In Nelson, Buller and Westland southeasterly gales could become severe on Friday, lasting until Saturday morning.

In northeastern parts of Northland heavy rain is expected on Thursday afternoon when up to 30mm is expected.

MetService advises people to stay up to date with the latest forecasts in case these weather watches are upgraded.

Forecast

Auckland
• Today: cloud will increase, with rain developing in the afternoon. Northeasterlies will strengthen.
• Tomorrow: early showers will possibly become heavy with a developing south easterly.

Hamilton
• Today: early fog will lead onto cloud and then afternoon rain with northeasterlies will develop.
• Tomorrow: rain will ease and then clear.

Palmerston North
• Today: high cloud will thicken as strong easterlies develop.
• Tomorrow: rain will ease and then clear, with a strong gusty southeasterly.

Wellington

• Today: cloud will increase along with southeasterly winds.
• Tomorrow: rain will ease to showers and southerlies will rise to gale.

Christchurch
• Today: northeasterlies will develop with cloud cover and fine afternoon breaks.
• Tomorrow: occasional rain will clear with southerlies that will die out.

Queenstown
• Today: will become fine with light winds and a later southerly change.
• Tomorrow: becomes fine early, south easterly will die out.

Dunedin

• Today: a sunny day with northerlies can be expected, with cloud and a southerly at night.
• Tomorrow: a few early showers, then fine weather is expected. Southerlies dying out in the evening.