Wild weather wraps up school holidays

Staying in to watch a good movie might just be the ticket for youngsters around the country, as wild weather is forecast to wrap up the school holidays.

The MetService has issued severe weather watches and outlooks for much of the country, saying a significant winter storm is forecast for most areas.

Those on the severe weather hit list include: Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Marlborough, Christchurch, Canterbury Plains, Canterbury High Country, North Otago, Central Otago, Dunedin, Clutha and Southern Lakes.

Meteorologist Robert Kerr said strong north-east winds were expected to hit Auckland, Northland, Coromandel Peninsula and the Bay of Plenty this afternoon, while some exposed parts could see gusts of up to 100km/h later this evening.

Thunderstorms are also forecast in those areas and there was a risk of localised downpours and very strong winds as a result.

"We also have a severe weather watch for Canterbury and Otago for [tomorrow] and Saturday, for rain potentially reaching warning amounts and significant snow accumulations above 400m,'' Kerr said.

The conditions may cause problems for livestock and affect a number of higher roads in the area.

Despite the gloomy end to the holidays, children at the ACG Strathallan preschool in Karaka, south of Auckland, were basking in their own little winter wonderland yesterday.

Two tonnes of snow was delivered to their centre this week. For some, it was the first time they had seen or touched snow. Some even tasted it.

Aucklanders will see rain setting in around midday, with some heavy falls, and a temperature high of 17C.

Whangarei will also get rain today, some heavy and possibly thundery falls later this afternoon, and a high of 18C.

Rain is expected in Tauranga, Wellington and Palmerston North; however the latter two cities will get some cloudy periods.

Those in and around Christchurch, Dunedin and inland areas were being warned that heavy rains could lead to rapidly rising rivers and therefore localised flooding.

"This combination of heavy rain and inland snow is likely to cause significant disruption to the transport network and possibly cause power outages.''

Authorities encouraged residents in the Canterbury and Otago regions to stay up to date with the latest forecasts as the watches may turn into a full warning.

Christchurch has a high of 15C with occasional rain this evening.

Dunedin and Invercargill have similar conditions - with rain from mid-morning and winds developing.

While Queenstown is also due to get occasional rain this morning and a high of 8C and overnight low of 2C.