Rain on the way to end fine spell

MetService forecasters say Wanganui residents should resign themselves to typical equinoctial weather patterns for a while longer - which means mainly westerly winds and plenty of them.

In its latest long-range forecast, the service said the anticyclone that brought the fine spell this past weekend will slide off to the northeast of New Zealand this week.

And Daniel Corbett, MetService spokesman, said when that happens the active and typical spring westerlies will steer more weather systems our way.

"This week will see a return to the active spring theme, with spells of rain, gales and even thunder in places over the coming days," he said.

Warnings are already in place for heavy rain on the west coast of the South Island, and strong to severe gales from Southland to inland Canterbury.

He said this weather system will ease away to the east by tomorrow but another active system will bring a further spell of wind and rain to western areas of the country later in the day.

"With a general westerly flow this week, temperatures will be fairly mild, with afternoon highs into the 20s in some places especially in the east."

The forecast for this Labour Weekend also looks a bit changeable.

Nor-westerly winds develop from Thursday and come Friday there will be rain that should ease to showers, driven along by strong nor-westerlies that should ease later in the day.

Saturday should bring a shower or two with those nor-westers still hanging in there.

The one bright spot is Sunday. While those typical nor-westerlies will still be blowing through, it should be a fine day with daytime temperatures reaching about 17C.