Potentially destructive 140km/h gales are set to lash parts of the North Island as a front bringing heavy rain stalls at the top of the south and a second low sweeps in.
More than 30 hours of wet weather and severe gales are on the way for central and southern parts of the country, with 16 alerts issued by MetService from the bottom of the country to Taranaki.
Six orange heavy rain warnings are in place until tomorrow and four strong wind warnings spanning Canterbury to Taranaki are in place until Saturday morning.
Orange strong wind warnings have been issued for Taranaki, Wellington and parts of Marlborough and Canterbury – where gales of up to 140km/h can be expected.
Heavy rain warnings remain in place for areas including Tasman, Buller, Westland and parts of Canterbury and Otago.
A MetService meteorologist told the Herald that today’s system would mean already soggy grounds for when the next lot of rain moved over.
“There are two systems back-to-back. The first started yesterday and the second, starting from tonight through tomorrow, will deliver more rain.
“This will mean rising streams and rain on already wet soil so there’s a chance of slips.”
She said although the warnings were orange, people should still take them seriously.
“The winds will be on the high side so people should take time ahead to prepare and drivers need to be extra aware.”
The first of two weather systems hit the country yesterday, with rain expected to ease in some parts of the South Island tonight.
The warnings came as a front moved northwards over the South Island yesterday and was set to continue today, bringing with it heavy rain. It was now expected to stall over the northwest of the South Island today.
Up to 350mm – and possibly 400mm about the ranges – was expected in the Tasman District northwest of Motueka from noon to 7pm Friday.
MetService said up to 300mm of rain was also expected around the ranges of the Buller District, with lesser amounts near the coast over 33 hours from 10am until 7pm tomorrow.
A heavy rain watch for the Grey District has now been upgraded to an orange heavy rain warning and is in place until 7pm tomorrow. A heavy rain warning in place for Westland District was due to lapse at 7pm.
Initial rain watches for Nelson Lakes National Park, the Richmond and Bryant Ranges and the Rai Valley have also been upgraded to orange heavy rain warnings.
Meanwhile, heavy rain watches are in place for Taranaki and mainland Southland from 4pm tomorrow until late Friday night into the early hours of Saturday morning.
Strong wind warnings are in place for Taranaki and Wellington from 3pm tomorrow and lasting overnight.
MetService has warned that severe gales of up to 140km/h are possible, which can damage trees, powerlines and unsecured outdoor furniture. Motorists were also advised to take care on the roads.
Orange warnings are also in place for parts of Marlborough and the Canterbury high country from tomorrow afternoon.
Heavy wind watches are also in place for Taihape and Fiordland from 6pm tomorrow through to the early hours of Saturday morning, and in Buller, Grey and Westland from 2pm to 6pm tomorrow.