Wind and rain on the way

Gale-force winds and thunderstorms are expected to batter the North Island today.

The MetService issued a severeweather warning ahead of gales expected to reach 85kmh through most of the North Island. Gales are forecast for the north of the North Island and far south of the South Island tonight and tomorrow morning.

After a mostly settled week, the school holidays are set for a dismal start.

A frontal rainband is due to bring a deluge over the top half of the North Island this morning.

Parents might also like to keep their kids indoors as the MetService warned there was even a possibility of small tornadoes in some areas.

The rest of the North Island can expect the risk of thunderstorms and high wind throughout the day.

Thunderstorms will bring rain and hail to the top of the South Island in the afternoon and evening, and there’s a small risk of thunderstorms in Southland.

MetService meteorologist Andy Best said today will be a very unsettled picture across the country as the low pressure system moves through, adding that high winds were expected to affect areas from Taranaki to the Coromandel and Auckland. However, he ‘‘doesn’t expect it to be nice anywhere in the North Island’’.