The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are in for a "grey and grim" day for their first official engagement in Wellington today, MetService says.
The wet and windy weather could lead to another case of Catherine holding down her dress to protect her modesty, as the capital is looking at a "hold onto your hat type day", said meteorologist Dan Corbett.
"It's yucky, it's almost like mother nature said, 'oh you're coming to visit New Zealand and you're from Britain, this is typical spring weather in Britain'," he said.
The city would struggle to reach a high of 16C degrees today, with a keen southerly and spells of rain continuing throughout the day.
Heavy, persistent rain overnight had seen Kelburn record 83mm of rain in the last 24 hours, with 54mm at Wellington Airport, and more than 100mm over the ranges to the east of the city, Mr Corbett said.
Earlier weather warnings, which covered the Rimutaka Ranges and Wairarapa - where Prince William, Catherine and Prince George were rumoured to have spent yesterday in a luxury lodge - are due to expire at midday.
"The persistent stuff that was with us last night has moved through, so it's just cloudy, drizzly, just yucky."
Winds would begin to ease up during the day, he said.
However, things will brighten up slightly for William and Kate in Blenheim tomorrow, with less risk of rain.
Mr Corbett said he had been "typing up a few emails to mother nature" to persuade her to improve the weather for the rest of the royal visit.
"Maybe she's got the computer turned off, but hopefully she'll start listening."
- Patrice Dougan of APNZ
