A string of strong fronts whipping the country after zooming across the Tasman like a train with carriages hurtling along after each other is just some of the descriptive language meteorologist Andy Best is using to describe the coming weeks's weather patterns.

And watch out for possible small tornadoes, hail and thunderstorms.

It's looking like being the perfect cricket watching weather. It's also time to tie down the trampolines and rabbit hutches, clear out the roadside gutter of autumn leaf debris, check on elderly neighbours, and put away the deck chairs.

Most of the country should be bracing for heavy rain and severe winds on Sunday, as Metservice issues severe weather warnings including the possibility of tornados.

"We have this very active front which is moving on to the South Island later [Saturday] afternoon and evening, and then on to the North Island on Sunday," says Metservice meteorologist Andy Best.

That will mean heavy rain, particularly in the lower North Island and the west coast of the South Island. Heavy rain warnings are also in place for Taranaki, Nelson, Canterbury, Otago, and Westland. Bay of Plenty is also likely to be hit.

But it's not just rain.

Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds should expect wind as high as 120 km per hour on Sunday morning.

Areas of Hawke's Bay and Canterbury High Country may also be affected.

Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty have a moderate risk of thunderstorms, with hail and small tornados also possible.

Andy said Sunday is likely to be part of a string of strong fronts which whip the country over the coming weeks.

"It's pretty much an evolving set of features. We've been in this pattern where fronts are zooming across the Tasman and coming across us quite rapidly.

"Thursday and Friday we had one, then Sunday this major front comes through. On Monday there's another one, on Tuesday there's another one. We've got trains of these things."

It could also be a good idea to stock up on cereal, pet food, medications, and candles and make sure the emergency chocolate supplies are topped up.

Sourced from Stuff