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Severe gales may spoil plans for skiing this weekend, WeatherWatch warns.
Severe gales and torrential rain are on the way for a number of regions this weekend and into early next week as a low pressure system quickly explodes into life in the Tasman Sea.
WeatherWatch.co.nz said residents in Canterbury, exposed parts of Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa should be well aware of the potential severe gales, especially those near the ranges.
It predicts the strongest winds will be on Sunday but gusty conditions may well start as early as tomorrow night in Southland and some areas about the Southern Alps.
"The strong winds may put an end to skiing plans this weekend with severe gales likely at most, if not all, ski fields in the South Island. Strong winds are expected about Mt Ruapehu and Taranaki late on Saturday or during Sunday with rain setting in."
The MetService said north or northwest gales are likely in many parts of central and southern New Zealand on Sunday, with a spell of severe gales in the east from Wairarapa to Canterbury including Wellington and the outer Sounds.
WeatherWatch.co.nz said the stormy weather is likely to peak on Sunday and Monday with strong westerlies and warm, wet, weather right through most of next week.
