Blustery winds continue in last week of spring

The front was expected to weaken as it made its way onto the North Island on Wednesday and Thursday. Photo / Chris Gorman

Blustery winds will continue to whip parts of the country during the last official week of spring, MetService says.

Several fronts coming up from the south will bring rain to western areas across the country, and eastern areas could expect warm temperatures and blustery northwest winds.

A severe weather warning for heavy rain was in place for Westland and Fiordland on Tuesday night, thanks to a front moving across the east of the South Island, MetService meteorologist Elke Louw said.

"A severe weather warning has been issued for periods of heavy rain for those regions on Tuesday." The front would also bring with it northwest winds, she said.

"Ahead of this front we are expecting strengthening northwest winds with severe gales possible in exposed places over inland Canterbury and Otago.

"She said a severe weather watch was also in place for Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa, where northwest gales could increase to severe gale force late on Tuesday evening.

The front was expected to weaken as it made its way onto the North Island on Wednesday and Thursday, Ms Louw said, and a change to colder southwesterly winds was expected towards the end of the week.

She said this would mean the end to a humid week for many parts of the North Island."You might just want to keep that warm jumper handy," Ms Louw said.

Temperatures were expected to dip back down into the lower to mid-teens on Friday for the South Island, and cold southwesterlies will reach the North Island later on the same day.