KEY POINTS:
More miserable spring weather is forecast for parts of the country today.
After wet and blustery conditions kept many inside at the weekend, a front which moved on to Fiordland and Westland overnight is now affecting central parts of the country.
Up to 140mm of rain is predicted to fall in the ranges of Buller, northwest Nelson, and the Tararuas during the day.
The Met Service has warned people in these areas to be aware of rapidly rising river levels.
Gales which touched 100km/h in Wellington, Wairarapa, and Hawkes Bay at the weekend are expected to rise to 120km/h today - high enough to cause damage to trees and make driving hazardous.
The severe weather warning comes as Niwa forecasters predict a warmer than average spring due to developing La Nina conditions in the Pacific Ocean.
- NZPA
