Windy and wet weather tomorrow

Batten down the hatches for a windy and wet day tomorrow across many parts of New Zealand.

The remnants of the deadly storm that crossed New South Wales earlier in the week is moving towards New Zealand and expected to cross over central parts of the country on Monday and Tuesday.

WeatherWatch said the low pressure system would bring isolated thunderstorms along the Tasman Sea, strong to gale force northwesterly winds to central and eastern ares and periods of heavy rain and showers for northern and western New Zealand.

MetService forecaster Hordur Thordarson said Aucklanders were in for some heavy rain and gale-force winds, but won't see the worst of the weather.

"We're expecting rain to develop tomorrow morning into some heavy falls," he said.

Northeasterly winds could be strong and gusting to 100km/h in exposed areas.

"While it's getting pretty bad for Auckland, but we're expecting heavier falls and stronger winds elsewhere."

WeatherWatch head weather analyst Philip Duncan said the strongest winds would be in central New Zealand and eastern areas.

"This isn't a repeat of the New South Wales storm, but it [does] contain some of the same volatility, so all New Zealanders should be up to date with current warnings, watches -- and just the general outlook over the next few days.

"Thunderstorms are possible, especially along the western coastline near the Tasman Sea on Monday, with cooler weather moving across the country on Tuesday and Wednesday on the back end of the system."

MetService has issued a warning for heavy rain to fall in Westland and the ranges of Nelson and Taranaki, which could cause streams to rise rapidly and surface flooding.

The heavy rain was forecast to reach the ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty tomorrow afternoon and evening. In the 12 hours between midday and midnight Monday, 80-100mm was expected to accumulate.

Severe winds were forecast for Taranaki, Marlborough and Wellington tomorrow, where gusts of 120-130km/h were possible.

MetService said winds of this strength have the potential to damage trees, powerlines and insecure structures, as well as make driving conditions hazardous.

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Whangarei: Rain with some heavy falls and gusty northeasterlies tomorrow. Wind turns westerly on Tuesday and rain eases to showers.

Auckland: Heavy rain and north-easterlies gusting to 100km/h in exposed places tomorrow. Rain and winds ease on Tuesday and winds turn westerly.

Hamilton: Rain with some heavy falls tomorrow, and gusty northeasterlies. Rain easing to some showers on Tuesday and winds turn westerly.

Tauranga: Some heavy rain tomorrow with strong northeasterly winds. A few showers on Tuesday and westerly winds.

Wellington: Rain getting heavy tomorrow night and severe northerly winds gusting to 130km/h later. Tuesday periods of rain easing in afternoon and wind changes to southerly.

Christchurch: Tomorrow cloud will increase and rain expected later with winds turning southerly. Rain will ease on Tuesday and winds dying out.

Dunedin: Morning showers turn to afternoon rain tomorrow and southerly winds develop. Showers will clear tomorrow, southwest turns to northerly.

By Sophie Ryan of NZME. News Service

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