Farmers batten down the hatches - a spring storm is on the way.

I expect very strong winds from the northerly quarter, most likely as nor'westers in the South Island, and about Wairarapa and northerlies across Wellington starting on Saturday in the south, and moving to the east and into the north on Sunday.

It's possible winds will be strong enough to cause damage in some isolated areas but, as many of you would know, most of these areas are fairly used to gales from this wind direction so I don't anticipate much damage.

Rainfall along the west coast is going to be high though, from Fiordland to possibly Waitomo - any farms in the ranges or to the west of the ranges should be prepared for the incoming stormy system.

Winter has been fairly calm for most of us so far and this system has more characterists of spring.

The government forecaster, MetService, is also watching the approaching system.  On Thursday afternoon they predicted a "moderate risk" of severe gales about the entire eastern coastline of the South Island, also for Mt Taranaki, Wellington and, Wairarapa.

Heavy rain is also likely across the entire western coastline and western ranges of the South Island and as far north as Waikato/Waitomo, says MetService.