MetService – Heavy rain is falling in the west of the South Island ahead of a low which is forecast to cross southern New Zealand today, while north to northwest gale force winds affect most of central and southern New Zealand.

A period of heavy rain is also expected today about the Marlborough Sounds, Tararua Range, the hills from Hutt Valley to Kapiti Coast also for Mt Taranaki (the watch for heavy rain in the Richmond Range has been upgraded to a warning), and overnight Sunday and early Monday about the Central North Island High Country. However rainfall accumulations may not reach warning amounts.

Note, that in Taranaki and about the Central North Island High Country there will probably be further heavy rain at times on Tuesday. Very blustery north or northwest winds are expected to reach gale force today in Westland, Buller, Nelson west of Motueka, and from Mt Taranaki to the Kapiti Coast.

At this stage gusts are not expected to exceed about 100 kilometre/h, except in the mountains but forecasters will maintain a watch.

There is the potential for damage to trees and powerlines, especially in areas which are not normally subjected to strong winds.

See all the warnings here