Spells of rain and gales are on the way this weekend as a brisk westerly flow carries an active trough across the country.

The MetService is predicting cloudy weather with a high of 16 degrees for Tauranga tomorrow, followed by showers that creep in over the region on Sunday.

Punchy gales bring cool weekend

MetService media and communications meteorologist Dan Corbett says many places will experience wet and windy conditions this weekend as the trough brings colder temperatures.

'The north-westerly gales will spread over the country ahead of the main trough later this afternoon and on Saturday.

'This will result in another spell of heavy and persistent rain on the west coast of the South Island.”

The MetService has already issued severe weather watch warnings for many parts of southern and central New Zealand.

'As the trough weakens over the North Island later in the weekend, less wind and rain is expected in northern parts.

'A colder west to southwest flow will feed in further showers for the start of next week accompanied by progressing lower snow levels.

'Overnight frosts will be a feature over the South Island early next week.”