Wild weather: Parts of south warned as 'humid flow' closes in

Severe weather is on the cards for much of the South Island this weekend, with heavy rain and strong wind expected.

"Another rainmaker [is] on the horizon for Saturday and Sunday," MetService warned on X (Twitter).

"Wet and windy weather returns to the South Island this weekend."

Heavy rain watches are in place for Westland south of Otira from 6pm Saturday to 10am Sunday; headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur's Pass from 6pm Saturday to 10am Sunday; headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers from 3pm Saturday to 3am Sunday; and Fiordland from 10am to midnight on Saturday.

"A humid northwest flow precedes a front that moves north across the South Island on Saturday, bringing a period of heavy rain and possible severe northwest gales to parts of the South Island," the forecaster explained.

Strong wind watches are in place for Canterbury High Country from 4pm Saturday to 5am Sunday and for Otago (excluding North Otago), Southland and Fiordland from midday to 9pm Saturday.

"Please keep up to date with the latest forecasts as parts of this watch may be upgraded to warnings and further areas are likely to be added," MetService said.

For other parts of the country, the outlook is more promising.

Auckland can expect largely fine weather for tomorrow with a high of 20C, with an even sunnier day on Saturday bringing a high of 23C. Sunday is expected to be cloudier but still with a high of 22C, MetService said.

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In Wellington, tomorrow's mainly fine although showers are possible. It's a high of 20C for the capital. Saturday is expected to be fine before cloud sets in for the afternoon with a high of 19C – but on Sunday, cloud and showers are expected with a high dipping to 18C.

Christchurch looks set to escape the worst of the lower South Island's weather. The Garden City will have early cloud clearing into a fine afternoon tomorrow with a high of 20C, and a summery 26C high for Saturday – although cloud and perhaps an evening shower are forecast. Sunday will not be quite so good, with a few showers and a high of 21C, MetService said.