Warning: GALE warning for PORTLAND

Situation: A strong southwest flow over New Zealand weakens on Saturday as a narrow ridge moves onto the country from the Tasman Sea. A trough crosses the South Island on Sunday and the North Island on Monday, followed by another ridge.

Forecast: Gale warning. Thursday: Southwest 20 knots gusting 30 knots, turning westerly 15 knots this evening. Moderate sea becoming slight this evening. Fine weather. Friday: Westerly 15 knots rising to 20 knots gusting 30 knots in the morning, then changing southwest 20 knots gusting 30 knots but 25 knots gusting 35 knots east of Cape Kidnappers to Wairoa early afternoon, then rising to 35 knots gusting 45 knots in the east in the evening. Slight sea becoming moderate but rough in the east early afternoon rising to very rough in the east in the evening. Fair visibility in scattered showers in the east.

Outlook: Outlook until midnight Monday: Saturday: Southwest 20 knots but 30 knots in the east. Fine spells, few showers. Sunday: Southwest 25 knots in the east and 15 knots elsewhere, gradually dying out. Becoming fine. Monday: Southerly 15 knots developing. A few showers developing.

Swell: Swell forecast to midnight Monday: Southwest rising to 1 metre today, but 2.5 metres east of Wairoa. Southerly rising to 2.5 metres early Saturday, but 4 metres in the east for a time, easing to 1.5 metres everywhere on Sunday.

High tide at Napier
Time: 3:04pm Thursday 17 May 2012 - Height: 1.5m
Time: 3:27am Friday 18 May 2012 - Height: 1.5m