Farmers - batten down the barn - severe gales and torrential rain are on the way for a number of regions this weekend and into early next week as a low pressure system quickly explodes into life in the Tasman Sea.

The front and low, which are coming off Australia's east coast, will push against a large high, currently over New Zealand, creating our first belt of gales in some time.

Farmers in Canterbury, exposed parts of Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa should be well aware of the potential severe gales, especially those near the ranges.

I think the strongest winds will be on Sunday but gusty conditions may well start as early as Friday night in Southland and some areas about the Southern Alps.

The strong winds may put an end to skiing plans this weekend with severe gales likely at most, if not all, ski fields in the South Island.  Strong winds are expected about Mt Ruapehu and Taranaki late on Saturday or during Sunday with rain setting in.

Torrential rain is also moving in with MetService predicting up to 300mm for those in the west, south of Mt Taranaki.

The stormy weather is likely to peak on Sunday and Monday with strong westerlies and warm, wet, weather right through most of next week.