Covering period of Friday 17th - Sunday 19th April

Extended period of unsettled wet weather for the country
• Heavy Rain Warnings for the West Coast and Canterbury Headwaters
• Heavy Rain Watch for the Otago Headwaters
• Strong Wind Watch for the Canterbury High Country

The weekend is shaping up to be a wet one for most of the country, as heavy rain moves onto the country from Friday onwards. A large low-pressure system with several fronts pushes onto Fiordland Friday morning and then moves north.

Heavy rain is expected for the West Coast with Orange Heavy Rain Warnings beginning for Westland from Noon and from 4pm for the Grey and Buller districts, with up to 120-150mm of rain forecast to fall through to Saturday morning. This rain is expected to push east of the Divide with an Orange Heavy Rain Warning out for the Canterbury Headwaters and a Yellow Heavy Rain Watch for the Otago Headwaters.
Northwesterlies will strengthen ahead of this front with a Yellow Strong Wind Watch in force for the Canterbury High Country from Friday afternoon through to Saturday morning.

The front continues pushing north on Saturday with periods of rain reaching Auckland during the second half of the day. 

MetService meteorologist Braydon White advises, “Those heading to the Warriors game Saturday evening might want to pack a raincoat. With the potential for showers during the game, those looking to stay dry may need to break out the ponchos and brollies.”

Heading into Sunday the broad low-pressure system lies over the country, with several fronts rotating around it bringing periods of rain but also fine gaps to most. Then as we head into the new working week the low-pressure system continues to stick around, with winds shifting towards the southeast and the possibility of some persistent rain in eastern areas.

Please keep up to date with the most current information from MetService at https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home

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