The government forecaster has issued a number of wind, snow and rain warnings as Autumn finally roars into life across New Zealand.

Full warnings below, issued by Metservice, as of Saturday evening.

Hawkes Bay

Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: East of the main ranges from Napier to Masterton Westerly winds are likely to rise to gale force Sunday evening with gusts 120 km/h. Winds of gale or severe gale strength are likely to continue through much of Monday and Tuesday.

Wairarapa

Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: Exposed parts of Wairarapa, Wellington and Marlborough Northwest winds gales are expected to develop overnight Saturday. From about 2am Sunday expect severe gale gusts of 120 km/h , especially about exposed hill tops and headlands. Winds should ease in Marlborough by 9am Sunday and in Wellington and Wairarapa by midday Sunday. Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: East of the main ranges fromNapier to Masterton Westerly winds are likely to rise to gale force Sunday evening with gusts 120 km/h. Winds of gale or severe gale strength are likely to continue through much of Monday and Tuesday.

Wellington

Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: Exposed parts of Wairarapa, Wellington and Marlborough Northwest winds gales are expected to develop overnight Saturday. From about 2am Sunday expect severe gale gusts of 120 km/h , especially about exposed hill tops and headlands. Winds should ease in Marlborough by 9am Sunday and in Wellington and Wairarapa by midday Sunday.

Marlborough

Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: Exposed parts of Wairarapa, Wellington and Marlborough Northwest winds gales are expected to develop overnight Saturday. From about 2am Sunday expect severe gale gusts of 120 km/h , especially about exposed hill tops and headlands. Winds should ease in Marlborough by 9am Sunday and in Wellington and Wairarapa by midday Sunday.

Nelson

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: For Buller and the ranges of Northwest Nelson Rain is expected to become heavy during Saturday evening with thunderstorms likely. In the 10 hours from 10pm Saturday to 8am Sunday expect 60 to 90mm. Rainfall rates may reach 25mm per hour in thunderstorms during the early morning.

Nelson Lakes

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: For Buller and the ranges of Northwest Nelson Rain is expected to become heavy during Saturday evening with thunderstorms likely. In the 10 hours from 10pm Saturday to 8am Sunday expect 60 to 90mm. Rainfall rates may reach 25mm per hour in thunderstorms during the early morning.

Buller

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: For Buller and the ranges of Northwest Nelson Rain is expected to become heavy during Saturday evening with thunderstorms likely. In the 10 hours from 10pm Saturday to 8am Sunday expect 60 to 90mm. Rainfall rates may reach 25mm per hour in thunderstorms during the early morning.

Dunedin City

Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: Coastal areas of Southland, Clutha and Dunedin. From about 2pm Sunday in Southland and 4pm in Otago expect westerly winds to rise to gale force with severe gale gusts 120 km/h, especially in heavy squally showers and thunderstorms. Gale or severe gale winds are likely to continue in these areas for much of the time through Monday and Tuesday. Heavy Snow Warning, Areas Affected: Hill country of Eastern Southland,and Clutha. (this includes the Catlins) Snow is expectd to lower to about 300 metres during Sunday evening.In the 12 hours from 6pm Sunday 10 to 15cm snow may accumulate above 400 metres with lesser amounts down to 300 metres. These snowfalls wil be accompanied by gale force winds. From about dawn on Monday showers should ease and the snow level begin rising. 

Otago

Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: Coastal areas of Southland, Clutha and Dunedin. From about 2pm Sunday in Southland and 4pm in Otago expect westerly winds to rise to gale force with severe gale gusts 120 km/h, especially in heavy squally showers and thunderstorms. Gale or severe gale winds are likely to continue in these areas for much of the time through Monday and Tuesday. Heavy Snow Warning, Areas Affected: Hill country of Eastern Southland,and Clutha. (this includes the Catlins) Snow is expectd to lower to about 300 metres during Sunday evening.In the 12 hours from 6pm Sunday 10 to 15cm snow may accumulate above 400 metres with lesser amounts down to 300 metres. These snowfalls wil be accompanied by gale force winds. From about dawn on Monday showers should ease and the snow level begin rising.

Southern Lakes

Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: Coastal areas of Southland, Clutha and Dunedin. From about 2pm Sunday in Southland and 4pm in Otago expect westerly winds to rise to gale force with severe gale gusts 120 km/h, especially in heavy squally showers and thunderstorms. Gale or severe gale winds are likely to continue in these areas for much of the time through Monday and Tuesday. Heavy Snow Warning, Areas Affected: Hill country of Eastern Southland,and Clutha. (this includes the Catlins) Snow is expectd to lower to about 300 metres during Sunday evening.In the 12 hours from 6pm Sunday 10 to 15cm snow may accumulate above 400 metres with lesser amounts down to 300 metres. These snowfalls wil be accompanied by gale force winds. From about dawn on Monday showers should ease and the snow level begin rising. 

Southland

Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: Coastal areas of Southland, Clutha and Dunedin. From about 2pm Sunday in Southland and 4pm in Otago expect westerly winds to rise to gale force with severe gale gusts 120 km/h, especially in heavy squally showers and thunderstorms. Gale or severe gale winds are likely to continue in these areas for much of the time through Monday and Tuesday. Heavy Snow Warning, Areas Affected: Hill country of Eastern Southland,and Clutha. (this includes the Catlins) Snow is expectd to lower to about 300 metres during Sunday evening.In the 12 hours from 6pm Sunday 10 to 15cm snow may accumulate above 400 metres with lesser amounts down to 300 metres. These snowfalls wil be accompanied by gale force winds. From about dawn on Monday showers should ease and the snow level begin rising. 

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Metservice Thunderstorm Outlook for Sunday

Valid to: Noon 15 May 2011 NZST
Issued at: 8:16 pm 14 May 2011 NZST

As a front moves from the South Island onto the North Island during the morning there is a high risk of thunderstorms affecting western areas from Waikato to Buller, including the Kapiti Coast. The thunderstorms are likely to bring localised heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts and have the possibility of producing small tornadoes. In Taranaki late morning, there is a low risk of severe thunderstorms with damaging gusts. Outside this area, there is a low risk of thunderstorms from Northland to Wairarapa, the Marlborough Sounds and northern Westland.

No other areas of severe convection or thunderstorms are expected.

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Valid to: 00:00 am 16 May 2011 NZST
Issued at: 10:09 pm 14 May 2011 NZST

The front is expected to move over the North Island during the afternoon and evening and there is a high risk of thunderstorms developing from Northland down to north Taranaki and the Bay of Plenty, and there is a low risk that some of these thunderstorms will be severe, with damaging wind gusts above 110 km/h. Otherwise, these thunderstorms could be accompanied by localised heavy rain and possible tornadoes. The thunderstorms are expected to clear west of Tauranga late afternoon and elsewhere late evening.

Another front should move onto the South Island during the afternoon and evening. There is a moderate risk of thunderstorms for Fiordland and coastal Southland during the afternoon. Initially these thunderstorms are likely to be accompanied by localised heavy rain and strong wind gusts but in the evening,the risk of heavy rain reduces but there is possibility of some hail. There is also a low risk that some thunderstorms will be severe with wind gusts above 110km/hr.

The moderate risk of thunderstorms spreads into Westland and Buller during the evening, bringing the possibility of localised heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts and possibly tornadoes. There is a low risk of thunderstorms also developing in Clutha, inland Southland and northwest Nelson.

No other areas of thunderstorms or severe convection are expected.