Now brace for the big blow

The huge front is expected to bring heavy rain. Photo / METVUW.COM

Just when holidaymakers thought it safe to relax, Mother Nature has one last trick up her sleeve for 2010.

Much of the country is in for a weather shock today as a big front moves north, bringing heavy rain and gales.

MetService duty forecaster Oliver Druce said the front would affect most of New Zealand.

But it was also fast-moving and the worst of the bad weather should clear by this evening. "We think this will be a very severe event," he said.

"There is potential for flooding and overflowing rivers from heavy rains and also damage from heavy winds in some places."

Heavy rain hit Westland, the Southern Alps and parts of Otago yesterday afternoon, Mr Druce said.

As much as 500mm of rain was expected to fall in Westland.

MetService issued a heavy-rain warning for Marlborough, Wellington, the central North Island and the ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty.

"This heavy rain will cause river and stream levels to rise rapidly, and there may be slips, surface flooding and poor visibility, making driving conditions hazardous," it said.

A severe-wind warning was issued for the lower North Island, with gusts of up to 160km/h forecast for Wellington and Wairarapa.

But by late this afternoon, all the warnings are expected to have been withdrawn and the weather should improve again.

Weather Watch chief analyst Philip Duncan said Auckland, Coromandel and Northland would be on the edge of the stormiest weather.

"However, even winds of 30km/h can make for uncomfortable sleeping conditions in tents and awnings, and winds may be gusting to more than twice that amount - up to 70 or even 80km/h in exposed areas."

Most of the country would enjoy a dry New Year's Eve, he predicted. "Once this weather has cleared by Wednesday morning, we can all go back to having summer weather again."