A fast-moving front is forecast to sweep across southern and central New Zealand from the west tomorrow, delivering rain and severe northwesterly gales to many places.
MetService has issued a couple of orange strong wind warnings and multiple strong wind watches for large parts of the South Island, part of the lower North Island and Hawke's Bay.
The Canterbury High Country is expected to experience the strongest winds, with "damaging" gusts of 130km/h forecast in exposed places from 5am to 5pm on Saturday.
Gusts of 120km/h are forecast for Marlborough, Wellington, Wairarapa and the Tararua District from midday to 11pm tomorrow.
"Damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures are possible," MetService said.
"Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles."
There is also a low chance of the orange strong wind warning being upgraded to red in these locations.
Meanwhile, strong wind watches have been issued for Hawke's Bay south of Hastings; North Otago, the Canterbury Plains, Christchurch and Banks Peninsula; Fiordland, inland Southland and Clutha, also Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago; and Dunedin, coastal Southland and Clutha, including Stewart Island.
Mainly northwest winds could approach severe gale in exposed places across these areas with a moderate chance that it could approach warning levels.
A heavy rain watch is in place for Fiordland from 11pm tonight until 1pm tomorrow.
Eastern regions could see mid-20s temperatures driven by these westerly winds ahead of the incoming weather system, MetService said.
"Once it moves through, temperatures are expected to return to the seasonal September norm," the forecaster said.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said spring was a time of transition and that this year has seen "its fair share of ups and downs".
"It wouldn't be unexpected if this season has a few more swings in weather up its sleeve."
People can stay up to date with the latest weather watches and warnings on the MetService website.
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