Severe weather warning for South Island and Hawke's Bay

A severe weather warning has been issued for parts of the South Island and Hawke's Bay. Photo / File

Parts of the South Island are in for a thrashing today as strong northwest gales and rain arrives in the region. More cloud will also hover over the North Island.

A front is already hanging over the lower South Island today, bringing wet and windy weather. It is expected to reach the lower North Island tonight.

MetService has severe weather warnings in place for eastern Otago and South Canterbury this morning. Severe westerly gales are forecast for the Tararua District and south of Hastings in Hawke's Bay late this afternoon through to early tomorrow morning.

MetService meteorologist Sarah Sparks said high temperatures were expected in the east of the South Island before the southerly change later today.

Clouds would be a feature in Northland, Auckland and Waikato for the next two days. South of Waikato, Whanganui and Manuwatu the cloud would also increase and a light drizzle is expected this afternoon.

Sparks said Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and Waiarapa were fine, but the best place to be was in central Otago and the Canterbury Plains as they were in for good weather once the rain and cloud cleared this morning.

The front over the South Island today would move up to the North Island tomorrow bringing cloud and light rain before clearing later.

"It's an improving trend, becoming fine throughout the day. Although there might still be a few showers lingering in Northland."

The forecast for the South Island was also mostly fine, except for Canterbury where the cloud would increase in the afternoon along with a few showers and Invercargill and Southland.

Short forecast:

Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Taupo - Often cloudy, with morning drizzle in Bay of Plenty and Taupo. Longer fine breaks this afternoon

Auckland to Manawatu, including Taumarunui and Taihape - Mostly cloudy, but afternoon fine breaks for Whanganui, Taihape and Manawatu. Late drizzle south of Waikato

Gisborne to Wairarapa - Fine

Horowhenua Kapiti Coast and Wellington - Mostly cloudy, with patchy drizzle

Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago - Cloudy periods. Brief scattered rain for Otago and Canterbury

Buller to Fiordland - Rain in Fiordland spreading north, then easing to isolated showers later and clearing northern Fiordland and Westland

Southland - Rain easing to a few showers late morning

Chatham Islands - Cloudy periods and the odd light shower

- Source: MetService