Wet and windy weekend on the way

Wild weather is expected to lash the South Island and lump Wellington with a soggy and windy weekend.

MetService issued a severe weather warning yesterday for the West Coast and for Wellington and Wairarapa.

A "vigorous front" was expected to sweep in, dumping of up to 150mm in the Southern Alps, Fiordland and the Buller ranges overnight and today.

It would also bring thunder and intense lightning to the South Island and winds up to 140kmh to Southland and Canterbury.

The front would weaken as it hit the North Island but bring showers and gale-force northwesterly winds to Wellington and Wairarapa today.

Wind damage to trees was reported in Invercargill yesterday afternoon as the front arrived.

A MetService spokesman said the heavy rain was expected to funnel into the headwaters of Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers, so people should be wary of rapidly rising rivers and streams.

The gales should ease in Wellington tonight but would return tomorrow as another front made its way up from the south, he said.

"Basically it's going to be a bit of a repeat performance."

A MetService warning said the winds could damage trees and powerlines and make driving difficult.

While showers were expected over the weekend in Wellington, the temperature should still be 19 degrees both today and tomorrow.

Those chasing a weekend of sun and surf could head to Gisborne, with 30 degrees forecast for today and 27 degrees expected tomorrow.

- © Fairfax NZ News