Wild and windy all week

Brace yourselves New Zealand — it’s going to be a wild and windy week.

As the school holidays draw to a close, drivers are being warned to take care on the roads today in the face of severe weather warnings for much of the country.

And WeatherWatch analyst Philip Duncan last night told the Herald on

Sunday hurricane-force winds of up to 120km/h were possible around the upper South Island, up to Palmerston North in the North Island.

Gales were forecast further up the North Island, including Auckland.

Yesterday the Kapiti Coast was one of the worst hit areas, with heavy rain and high tides hammering coastal areas, said meteorologist April Clark from MetService. Identical conditions are forecast for tonight.

“Those driving around those areas really need to take care and keep in mind there will be some big waves around the Kapiti Coast,” Clark said.

Severe gale-force winds were expected around much of the North Island, Fiordland and the Chatham Islands today.

The heaviest rain was expected in central and southern New Zealand, with up to 280mm expected in the Westland ranges and Tararua Range.

Motorists returning from school holiday breaks have been warned to take care or avoid travel as gale-force winds could pull down trees, damage powerlines and lift unsecured structures.

Heavy rain will cause rivers and streams to rise rapidly, causing slips and surface flooding. North to northwest winds were expected to strengthen, with gusts of 120km/h possible.

Heavy swells and large waves were expected to affect western coasts today, making driving hazardous.

The bad conditions are expected to last well into next week.