More wind and rain before weather settles

Umbrellas and raincoats will be needed for a few more days, especially in the mainland, before settled weather finally arrives, MetService says.

Another trough would "slide up the country'' this weekend bringing wind and rain, mostly to western places, meteorologist Daniel Corbett said.

"Then it looks like the weather will start to settle down as we head into the new week.''
The front will be most active over the West Coast of the South Island where the heaviest falls were likely.

A weather watch has also been put in place for Otago, with 30mm to 40mm of rain expected for headwaters tomorrow morning.

The Otago Regional Council expected this would slow the fall in the levels of lakes Hawea, Wanaka and Wakatipu, but levels at this stage were not expected to reach the high marks reached after heavy rain last week.

Contact Energy said it would be reducing the flow from the Roxburgh dam as follows tonight, but increasing it tomorrow afternoon to manage the extra water.

However, Mr Corbett said Cantabrians can enjoy temperatures in the high 20s tomorrow with warm northwesterlies expected.

On Sunday the remnants of the front will move across the north of the North Island before clearing away, Mr Corbett said.

A large ridge of high pressure will then build in across New Zealand from the west.

"This will help make Monday, Wellington Anniversary Day, mostly fine and dry across much of New Zealand.''