While the Auckland, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty regions have mostly fine weather with westerlies forecast today, the MetService has issued a severe weather watch for some other parts of the country.

A severe gale with west to northwesterlies and heavy rain are forecast for parts of central and southern New Zealand.

'A strong west to northwest flow lies over central and southern New Zealand today ahead of an active front forecast to move northwards across the area overnight Monday,” says a MetService spokesperson.

'In addition to the possibility of severe gale west to northwesterly winds for parts of central and southern New Zealand, the front also delivers a brief burst of heavy rain to western parts of the South Island including the headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers.

People are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecasts in case parts of this watch are upgraded to a warning, or further areas are added.

A heavy rain watch is in place for the following areas:

Area: The ranges of Westland south of Otira
Valid: 10 hours from 8pm Monday to 6am Tuesday
Forecast: A period of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach short-duration warning criteria.

Area: The headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers south of
Arthurs Pass
Valid: 7 hours from 11pm Monday to 6am Tuesday
Forecast: A period of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach short-duration warning criteria within 15km east of the main divide. Freezing level about 1800 metres during this time.

Area: The headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers
Valid: 6 hours from 8pm Monday to 2am Tuesday
Forecast: A period of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach short-duration warning criteria within 15km east of the main divide. Freezing level about 1800 metres during this time.

Area: Fiordland
Valid: 7 hours from 4pm to 11pm Monday
Forecast: A period of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms. Rainfall amounts may approach short-duration warning criteria.

A strong wind watch is in place for the following areas:

Area: Hawkes Bay south of Hastings, Tararua District and Wairarapa
north of Featherston
Valid: 21 hours from 9am Sunday to 6am Monday
Forecast: West to northwest winds may approach severe gale at times.

Area: The Canterbury High Country
Valid: 42 hours from 9am Sunday to 3am Tuesday
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
This Watch may be upgraded to a Warning on Monday.

Area: Canterbury Plains and Christchurch
Valid: 10 hours from 8pm Monday to 6am Tuesday
Forecast: Nortwesterly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Otago
Valid: 14 hours from 6am to 8pm Monday
Forecast: Winds are no longer expected to approach severe gale today. However, another period of strong northwesterlies is expected on Monday, and these winds may approach severe gale in exposed places from Monday morning through to Monday evening.

Area: Inland Southland
Valid: 15 hours from 4pm – 7pm Monday
Forecast: Northwesterlies may approach severe gale in exposed places during this time.

Area: Stewart Island and coastal Southland
Valid: 33 hours from 9am Sunday to 6pm Monday
Forecast: West to northwesterlies may approach severe gale in exposed places, easing for a time this evening.