Niwa Weather has predicted a “potent front” will bring rain to the South Island on Monday, on the back of several days of settled weather. Photo / Carson Bluck

'Big change': Heavy rain and gale-force winds to hit early next week

Author: Natasha Gordon ,
Publish Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2026, 8:40am

Heavy rain and strong winds are fast approaching, with the heaviest rain expected to lash commuters and school students during Monday morning rush hour.

Niwa Weather predicted the “potent front” will brush away the calm, sunny weather that we will see this weekend.

This rainmaker will threaten to drench the bottom of the North Island and much of the South Island.

MetService said gale-force winds are forecast to batter the lower and eastern South Island and the lower North Island.

MetService meteorologist Samkelo Magwala told the Herald this weekend would be the perfect time to get out and about before things take a turn.

“This weekend, there is more settled weather across the country, might be a few isolated showers in the southern parts of the South Island,” Magwala said.

He said the “big change” was expected on Monday, which will drench Kiwis into Tuesday.

“It’s just those two days, then we’re back again to more settled weather,” Magwala said.

He said the areas most affected by the cold front will be in the South Island, particularly in the western and southern areas.

“Monday early morning, it will start in the South Island, then during mid-morning it spreads in most areas,” he said.

He said most people would experience some showers during rush hour.

“Given that some of the schools will be opening on Monday during the peak hours, there will be some delays due to traffic resulting from the reduced visibility in the rain,” he said.

Heavy rain and strong winds are fast approaching. Photo / Michael Craig

Warm temperatures to continue

Magwala said sweaty temperatures were set to continue this weekend and into next week.

“There’s also another system that is coming from the north, which is causing the temperatures to remain high because it’s bringing that warm air,” Magwala said.

He said temperatures over the next few days were likely to be within the high 20s and low 30s.

“Napier will see a maximum of 31C on Monday, Hastings 33C,” he said.

He said at this stage, the weather concern was mostly around the heavy rain and gale-force winds.

This impending wild weather comes after severe rain lashed much of New Zealand last week, causing several landslides.