An orange strong wind warning is in place for Wellington and Wairarapa (excluding the Tararua District) this morning, with severe gale northwesterlies gusting 130km/h in exposed places.
🔶🟡 Heavy Rain and Strong Wind Watches and Warnings Issued 🌧️🍃
A fast moving pair of cold fronts make themselves known tomorrow, with heavy rain and strong gusty winds expected. pic.twitter.com/gPwtRku2BZ
— MetService NZ (@MetService) September 2, 2026
Strong wind watches have also been issued for Marlborough (southwest of the Awatere River) this morning, and Hawke’s Bay (west and south of Wairoa) and the Tararua District between 9am and 4pm tomorrow.
A nine-hour strong wind watch begins at midnight tonight for Canterbury’s high country and on the plains close to the foothills.
The front that brought heavy rain to parts of the South Island last night was moving north and was expected to reach central New Zealand around midday, Huntington said.
MetService’s rain radar for tomorrow at 6am, when heavy rain is expected across parts of the South Island. Image / MetService
An orange heavy rain warning was in place for the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur’s Pass National Park from midnight until 8am, with up to 130mm in the area of the main divide and lesser amounts to the east.
A nine-hour heavy rain watch for the ranges of Buller began at midnight, and wild conditions could be a feature for some in the South Island.
“Thunderstorms are possible as the front moves up the South Island, bringing strong wind gusts and hail. The front then weakens as it pushes up the North Island.”
Rain was also expected to turn to snow showers from this morning on Milford Rd (State Highway 94), with up to 8cm possible at Homer Tunnel and lesser amounts to 600m.
Despite the unsettled weather in the west, eastern parts of the country could expect mild temperatures and sunny spells, Huntington said.
“However, increasing high cloud, particularly across the South Island, may take the edge off the sunshine at times.”
Highs of around 18C are forecast in Auckland over the next three days, although afternoon showers tomorrow could be briefly heavy, with a similar outlook for Whangārei, Hamilton and Tauranga.
A high of 23C is forecast in Hastings tomorrow – with 22C in neighbouring Napier – with mostly fine weather through the weekend bar a few showers this afternoon and Sunday evening.
It’ll be like a summer’s day in Hawke’s Bay tomorrow, with highs in the low 20s forecast. Photo / Paul Taylor
In Christchurch, highs in the late teens are forecast for the next three days, but that’ll be tempered by rain on Sunday.
That wet turn is caused by a low-pressure system developing in the Tasman Sea, expected to bring widespread rain and showers to end the weekend, Huntington said.
“The South Island is likely to see the heaviest falls, with rain not reaching parts of the North Island until late.”
MetService’s rain radar for noon Sunday. Image / MetService
For those heading to the Aims Games in Tauranga, a fine start to the event was expected, with some showers possible on Monday, she said.
Nearly 30,000 people are expected in the city before the annual sporting event for intermediate-aged children.
A wind change would likely temper the warmer temperatures enjoyed by many late this week, Huntington said.
“Next week looks like a shift towards more southwesterly winds, so temperatures will come down a notch.”