Windy weekend forecast

While Hawke's Bay is set to avoid the worst of heavy rain sweeping in from the Tasman today it is likely to get a battering from wild northwesterly winds.

But Hawke's Bay Spring Showgoers need not become too concerned at this stage as the long-range forecast for show days - next Wednesday through to Friday - is for sunshine, westerly breezes and temperatures around 20C.

A severe weather warning was issued by MetService yesterday as a complex low pressure system in the Tasman Sea began deepening.

It was set to push heavy rain across western areas of both islands today, while regions like the Bay, Gisborne, Manawatu and Wairarapa were lined up for high winds - with gusts up to 130km/h forecast for some exposed areas.

The skies across the Bay were also likely to be mainly cloudy during the weekend, with some showers forecast.

MetService issued a warning for people in western areas to be alert to rising streams and rivers, while motorists in the east were advised to check the conditions, especially if driving high-sided vehicles or motorcycles.

A bright spot to the forecast is that the system is expected to pass over the region by Monday, with winds dropping tomorrow. Conditions are expected to clear from Monday, with showers possible before clear skies return on Tuesday.