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There is a severe weather warning from Havelock North to Eketehuna as rain, high winds and a drop in temperatures are forecast for the middle of the country on Tuesday.
The MetService is forecasting a cold front to make its way across southern North Island areas on Tuesday afternoon.
Westerly gales are likely to develop east of the main ranges of Havelock North to Eketehuna on Tuesday evening and continue into Wednesday morning, with gusts of up to 120 kilometres an hour.
Weatherwatch Head Weather Analyst Phillip Duncan says the main concern is for motorists in the area and for campers with tents.
Duncan says it will be windy across most eastern areas of the country over the next 24 hours, even in areas where warnings have not been issued.
Campers and trampers are urged to keep an eye on rising streams and rivers.
In the Tararua Range, north of Wellington, rain was expected to become heavy from Tuesday morning. In the 16 hours from 2am to 6pm, 150 to 200mm of rain is expected, with the heaviest falls on western slopes.
Rainfall rates may reach 20 to 30mm per hour during the morning.
People in these areas should watch for rapidly rising streams and rivers, said forecaster Oliver Druce.
The Paparoa Range in the South Island experienced rain overnight, however, rain should ease in South Island areas by midday Tuesday and ease in the Tararuas by early Tuesday evening.
New Year weather
Meanwhile, It could be an unsettled beginning to 2010 on the weather front.
WeatherWatch head analyst Philip Duncan says it is looking good for the northern third of the country but is a different story further south.
He says for the lower North Island and the South Island there will be yet another weather pattern with "spring-like" characteristics.
He says gusty northerlies will develop for much of that area on New Year's Day, while for the lower South Island those winds will be very strong, possibly galeforce.
Keep up to date with the latest weather forecasts on TVNZ's weather page
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