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Source: ONE News
The rain which is set to hamper many people's Labour Weekend plans is settling in, bringing with it cold temperatures and severe gales in some parts.
MetService said a "cool to cold" southwest flow would creep over the country throughout today.
"We expect a trough of low pressure to spread onto the South
Island, from the Tasman Sea, on Saturday and the North Island on
Sunday."
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Rain had already begun to fall across much of the east coast of the North Island, Wellington, and most of the South Island, while gale force winds were blustering through the Central Plateau upwards.
Conditions were only expected to worsen in some parts tomorrow as MetService was predicting cloud to increase throughout the North Island and late rain to develop from Waikato and Bay of Plenty southwards.
In the South Island, heavy rainfall could be expected in the west coast, and scattered rain further east.
MetService forecasters said northwesterlies could rise to severe gale in central areas, but a severe wind warning for Tararua District and Central Hawke's Bay was lifted this morning.
The New Zealand Transport Agency was warning motorists to drive to the conditions, due to the weather being bad across most of the country.
Wellington Operations Manager Mark Owen said drivers should "exercise great care".
"We're asking motorists to allow extra time and take care this Labour Weekend when heading out on the highways, and to make the most of their journeys rather than rush them."
Check out the latest forecasts here.