Don't go putting those tents back up just yet -- the MetService has forecast more severe weather for much of the country tomorrow.
A severe weather watch and warnings were in place for Westland, Buller, the west of Nelson and the Tararua Range, where there was a high chance of rainfall levels exceeding "warning amounts".
There was moderate confidence of high rainfall levels in Waitomo, and from Taranaki across the central North Island high country to Bay of Plenty, along with an area covering southern Westland, the Richmond Range and Marlborough Sounds.
The warnings stem from a low and associated frontal rainband developing off eastern Australia, which was expected to move eastwards and spread a strong, moist northwesterly flow over much of New Zealand tomorrow.
"The weather system is forecast to clear the country during Saturday, followed by a strong west to southwest flow," MetService said.
There was a "low confidence" that heavy rain about the ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty would continue into Saturday morning.
But there was high confidence in northwest gales about the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington and Wairarapa becoming severe for a time tomorrow, and "moderate" chances of the same for Hawkes Bay and Gisborne.
There was low confidence of northwest gales becoming severe about Buller, the west of Nelson, Kapiti Coast, Horowhenua, Manawatu and coastal Wanganui on Friday and Saturday.
For eastern Southland, Clutha and Dunedin, there was low confidence of severe west to southwest gales tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday.
A ridge of high pressure was forecast to start building over the country on Sunday, with southwesterlies easing.
The flow turned northwesterly over the south of the South Island during Monday as a trough approached from the west.
Meanwhile, WeatherWatch forecasts dry weather for much of today in most regions, but added by the end of the day, "the odd light shower may sneak in" with rain later today in some regions.
"The North Island is mainly dry, just the odd light shower is possible for Northland, Auckland and the Bay of Plenty this evening, then overnight for most regions."
The website reported that the South Island would see the odd shower during the day on the West Coast of the South Island, before rain moved in late afternoon or evening, and became heavy overnight.
"Otago and Southland see a few spots or perhaps slightly longer spells of rain late this afternoon and evening.
"Then Canterbury, Marlborough and Nelson see a few spots of rain from evening becoming more persistent for a time overnight."
