MetService is forecasting a wet and windy end to the working week as active weather moves onto the country from the Tasman Sea, while the weekend brings clearer spells.

In a pivot from the sunny and settled weather that most of New Zealand experienced earlier this week, a couple of low pressure systems bring rain bands as a reminder of the changeable weather of the autumn months.

The rain starts along the west of the South Island, then gradually extends elsewhere, moving off the North Island during the latter parts of Saturday.

'Several areas are under Heavy Rain Warnings and Watches, with the bulk of the rain over mountainous areas of the West Coast Region," says MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane.

"Some thundery falls can also be expected along the western South Island.”

Winds gradually pick up and ramp up into the overnight hours as the main front moves across the country.

'It will be a night of whistling winds for many across the motu, and severe gales with gusts of 120 km/h are possible for parts of central South Island and the lower North Island,” says Mmathapelo.

The inclement weather is relatively short-lived, however, as things start to clear up throughout Saturday, rolling into a brighter and more settled day on Sunday.

With lots going on this weekend, many will be keen to know how things are shaping up.

'Those attending WOMAD will get the full range of Taranaki weather across the weekend, with sunnier weather settling in by Saturday afternoon. It's a more straightforward story for Wellington City, which will have cleared up by the start of the Homegrown music festival on Saturday afternoon, while a quick peek into the new week shows an Otago Anniversary Day sprinkled with showers.” says Mmathapelo.

Heavy Rain Watch
Area: Bay of Plenty ranges east of Opotiki
Valid: 13 hours from 10:00pm Fri 17 March to 11:00am Sat 18 March
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Central plateau of the North Island from Tongariro National Park to the Kaimanawa Range
Valid: 14 hours from 11:00am Fri 17 March to 1:00am Sat 18 March
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Buller
Valid: 29 hours from 8:00pm Thu 16 March to 1:00am Sat 18 March
Forecast: Rain with heavy falls, easing for a time from around dawn Friday to midday Friday. Thunderstorms are possible, especially from Friday afternoon. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Southland, Clutha, and Fiordland about and south of Dusky Sound
Valid: 9 hours from 8:00pm Thu 16 March to 5:00am Fri 17 March
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Queenstown Lakes District away from the Otago headwaters, and Central Otago
Valid: 8 hours from 8:00pm Thu 16 March to 4:00am Fri 17 March
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers
Valid: 16 hours from 8:00pm Thu 16 March to 12:00pm Fri 17 March
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria within 15 km east of the main divide.

Strong Wind Watch
Area: Wairarapa south of Masterton
Valid: 10 hours from 1:00am Fri 17 March to 11:00am Fri 17 March
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale at times.

Area: South Taranaki and Whanganui
Valid: 6 hours from 12:00am Fri 17 March to 6:00am Fri 17 March
Forecast: Northerly winds may approach severe gale at times.

Area: Buller and Westland
Valid: 7 hours from 8:00pm Thu 16 March to 3:00am Fri 17 March
Forecast: Northerly winds may approach severe gale at times.

Area: Banks Peninsula
Valid: 6 hours from 1:00am Fri 17 March to 7:00am Fri 17 March
Forecast: Northeast winds may approach severe gale at times.