A severe weather warning has been issued for Wanganui as the region prepares to be buffeted by gale-force winds and heavy rain.
MetService forecasts heavy rain and severe gales over many parts of the North Island and the top of the South Island tomorrow.
A low is expected to deepen rapidly as it crosses the Tasman Sea today and should be intense as it crosses the North Island on Saturday.
The most likely track of the low centre is from Taranaki to Hawke's Bay during tomorrow morning with pressure at the low centre falling to near 970hPa. A period of heavy rain is likely in many areas and warning amounts are expected in the ranges from Mt Taranaki to Mt Ruapehu, the ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty and Gisborne, also Wellington, Wairarapa and the Kaikoura Ranges. Streams and rivers will rise quickly.
Severe gales are forecast for North Island areas from Taranaki and Waikato across to Bay of Plenty and down to Wellington as well as Buller, Nelson and Marlborough. These winds have the potential to be damaging with hazardous travelling conditions.
Rough seas and heavy swells may cause erosion and storm surge inundation in some coastal areas.
Conditions should ease later on Saturday as the low moves away to the east.
