Strong winds will batter holidaymakers in the North Island on Friday, while Aucklanders face possible lane closures on the harbour bridge.

A low-pressure system to the east is forecast to drive in southerlies and build swell heights.

“Waves offshore from Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay are expected to reach 6-8 metres, and strong winds across the North Island will create generally rough sea conditions elsewhere,” Niwa warned.

“Boaters, fishers, and anyone near the coast should take extra care.”

These winds will affect Auckland on Friday, with a wind alert issued for between midday and 8pm. Gusts of 90-95km/h are forecast.

“To ensure safety, speed limits on the bridge may be reduced, and lanes on the bridge could close if wind gusts reach threshold levels,” the NZ Transport Agency warned.

“This may see traffic reduced to only one lane in each [direction] during the amber alert as the bridge’s southbound clip-on lanes are currently closed for maintenance.”

For the east coast, a strong wind watch has been put in place for the coastal areas of Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne as southwest gales strike the area.

The watch is in place from 8am on Friday until 6am on Saturday.

Residents in the Wairoa district should still anticipate heavy rain on Friday with 250mm expected on top of what has already fallen.

A heavy rain warning is in place from 10am on Friday until midday on Saturday.

The Rhythm and Vines festival opens up to campers on Saturday, December 28, with the festival officially kicking off on December 29, through to the first sunrise on Wednesday, January 1.

It’s warned people heading to Gisborne that the weather for the road trip looks like a mixture of rain and wind.

“We are anticipating rain, wind and sun across the four days of the festival. So please dress accordingly, packing both warm clothing and wet weather clothing,” festival organisers said in a statement.

Those trying to enjoy more summery conditions will be eagerly anticipating some respite coming later this week ahead of the New Year.

However, more rain is forecast to hit other popular hotspots across the country.

MetService meteorologist Ngairie Wotherspoon said a trough of low pressure spreading over the South Island on Saturday will put a dampener on holidaymakers’ plans.

“Rain spreads to many parts of the South Island on Sunday the 29th as the trough moves northwards.”

As the weather system moves up the country, Wotherspoon said, it will intensify into a low-pressure system bringing rain to central and northern areas on Monday.

“This low moves away to the east on New Year’s Eve, bringing rain in a strong south-to-southeast flow to eastern areas of the North Island and upper South Island.”

For Auckland and the Coromandel, Wotherspoon said, holidaymakers should expect some showers earlier in the day on New Year’s Eve, but they should clear by the evening ready for fireworks displays.

-NZ Herald