A strong northwesterly airflow lies over most of New Zealand, as the upper North Island escapes most of the strongest winds. 

Right from Southland through to Wellington, strong northwesterly winds dominate, with winds gusting to gale force from afternoon – more so about inland areas and Cook Strait.

Rain in South Westland will become heavy from the afternoon, then those heavy falls push northwards later in the evening and overnight.
This rain on the West Coast will be reasonably heavy so it’s definitely something anyone doing anything outdoors should be keeping an eye on.

– Aaron Wilkinson & Drew Chappell, WeatherWatch.co.nz

– Photo: John Sibley