Christchurch and Banks Peninsula are in for a blustery night, with strong winds and rain expected to continue through Friday evening, MetService meteorologist John Law has warned.

A strong wind warning is in place for Banks Peninsula and may remain active into Saturday morning.

“It’s going to be a windy night tonight,” Law said. “Those winds coming off the sea and running through Banks Peninsula will be strong, and even in Christchurch City, it’ll feel like a blustery night with wet weather pushing through.”

Despite the unsettled conditions on Friday, there is some relief on the horizon for Canterbury residents.

“Tomorrow is looking much better,” Law said. “This band of wet weather moving across the country will clear, leaving behind a brighter and drier day for Saturday across Canterbury. It won’t be warm, but it’ll definitely be a better day than today.”

Sunday, however, is expected to bring a return to breezy conditions.

“The key thing to watch for on Sunday will be the wind,” Law said. “North-easterlies will pick up again. Most of the region should stay dry, but it’ll be another breezy day — so enjoy the calmer conditions on Saturday while you can.”

While Canterbury braces for strong winds, northern regions are facing far more severe conditions. MetService has issued a red heavy rain warning for parts of Nelson.

“It’s been horrendous in the north,” Law said. “They’ve had so much rain in recent months, and today is another difficult day. This is only the 17th red warning we’ve issued since 1999. We don’t issue those lightly.”

Law said the combination of strong northerly winds and ongoing rainfall is likely to cause further disruption in already saturated areas, and urged residents in affected regions to keep up with local emergency management updates.