Wet and windy weekend ahead

File photo / Dean Purcell

Heavy rain and gale force winds are expected to hit the upper North Island this weekend, potentially causing slips and flooding and making driving hazardous.

MetService has forecast gale force easterlies gusting up to 140 km/h from Northland to Waikato, especially in higher ground around Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula and the Hauraki Plains.

It predicted up to 120mm of rain would fall on Saturday in Rodney, Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel, and up to 150mm in Northland.

"The combination of the heavy rain and strong winds is likely to
disrupt outdoor activities, make driving hazardous and lead to
surface flooding, slips, rapidly rising streams and rivers and could
damage trees and buildings," MetService said.

It warned people in affected areas to keep up to date with weather warnings and forecasts.

Conditions are not expected to start easing until Sunday, when winds should turn southeast.

- NZHERALD STAFF