Heavy rain and strong winds are expected across the country this weekend as winter weather bites.
Forecaster Metservice has issued dozens of weather warnings including a strong wind warning for Taranaki and a heavy rain watch for the central high country between Taumarunui and Raetihi. Taihape and inland Whanganui can also expect strong winds.
The lower North Island is also in for a lashing with a strong wind warning in place for Wellington and the Wairarapa area. There is also a heavy rain warning for the capital and the Tararua Ranges.
But the South Island will get the worst of it with heavy rain and strong wind warnings for upper and central areas.
Buller and Westland are in for strong winds and heavy rain. Marlborough is also in for heavy rain and winds along with Nelson, which can expect severe gales in exposed areas.
Areas of Canterbury are also set for some wild weather with rain and wind expected.
WeatherWatch says floods are possible for areas in the South Island which could see as much as 400mm of rain over the next few days.
People in the northern half of the West Coast and upper South Island can expect intense rains over the 24 to 48 hours, it said.
"The rain will be consistent and heavy enough to spill over into Nelson and Marlborough with over a month's worth of rain possibly falling there in just the next two or so days," WeatherWatch said in a statement on Friday.
"Severe north-west gales will also be blowing for a time later today and across Saturday. WeatherWatch.co.nz has been saying all week gusts to 130km/h are possible and may even go higher to 150km/h along the eastern North Island ranges."
