Vigorous spring westerly winds are forecast for the Labour holiday weekend, MetService said today.
National Forecast Centre manager Peter Kreft said most of New Zealand would be under the influence of a ridge of high pressure, resulting in widespread fine weather on Friday.
"However, cold showery southerlies shouldpersist in northern Hawke's Bay and Gisborne for a fair bit of the day," he said.
Westerly winds will be strong and gusty in many places on and off from later on Saturday, posing a particular hazard for those on central New Zealand roads.
Eastern areas from Bay of Plenty to Canterbury should be fine and mild, while the west of both islands is expected to be cloudy and cooler, with showers from time to time.
MetService's current forecast for Saturday:
North Island, fine in most places but a few showers developing in the west and a few brief showers possible in the west.
South Island, rain spreading up the west coast, and scattered falls spreading further east, westerlies rising to gale in exposed southern areas.
