A snowfall warning has been issued for Desert Road, and severe gales and heavy rain are forecast for parts of New Zealand.

'Snow showers are expected to affect the top of the road this morning,” says a MetService spokesperson.

'One to two centimetres of show could accumulate.”

Severe northwest gales are forecast for some South Island and lower North Island areas. Heavy rain is also expected for the west of the South Island and the Alps.

A front preceded by gale northwesterlies and heavy rain is expected to move northeast over the South Island late Sunday and Monday morning, and then onto the lower North Island Monday afternoon.

Heavy rain is expected to affect Fiordland and Westland and the headwaters of the Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers. Warnings are in force.

Severe northwest gales expected for the Canterbury High Country and foothills Sunday afternoon to Monday morning are likely to be damaging in exposed places, and may make driving conditions hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles. A severe gale
warning is now in force for the area. Strong winds are likely to affect other parts of the South Island and the lower North Island and watches for severe gales are in force.

A period of heavy rain and severe gale northwesterlies are expected for parts of the South Island on Sunday and early Monday.

'A front is expected to bring significant rainfall to western parts of the lower South Island, and severe gales for eastern areas on Sunday and early Monday.”

'The winds in the Canterbury High Country and foothills on Sunday and early Monday are likely to be damaging in exposed places, and may make driving conditions hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and bicycles. A Strong Wind Warning is now in force for this area.”

People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts.

A heavy rain watch has been issued for the following areas:

Area: The ranges of Westland from Otira southwards.
Valid: 24 hours from 6am Sunday to 6am Monday
Forecast: A period of heavy rain is expected on Sunday and early Monday. Rainfall accumulations are likely to reach warning criteria, and this Watch will be upgraded to a Warning closer to the event.

Area: The headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthurs Pass
Valid: 15 hours from 3pm Sunday to 6am Monday
Forecast: A period of heavy rain is expected on Sunday and early
Monday. Rainfall accumulations may reach warning criteria within 20km east of the main divide, and this Watch may be upgraded to a Warning closer to the event.

Area: The headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers
Valid: 14 hours from 1pm Sunday to 3am Monday
Forecast: A period of heavy rain is expected on Sunday and early
Monday. Rainfall accumulations may reach warning criteria within 20km east of the main divide, and this Watch may be upgraded to a Warning closer to the event.

Area: Fiordland
Valid: 21 hours from 6am Sunday to 3am Monday
Forecast: A period of heavy rain is expected on Sunday and early Monday. Rainfall accumulations are likely to reach warning criteria, and this Watch will be upgraded to a Warning closer to the event.

A strong wind watch has been issued for the following regions:

Area: Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa.
Valid: 19 hours from 11pm Sunday to 6pm Monday
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale at times.

Area: Canterbury Plains and Banks Peninsula.
Valid: 17 hours from 3pm Sunday to 8am Monday
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale at times.

Area: Otago apart from North Otago, Southland and Fiordland.
Valid: 12 hours from 6am to 6pm Sunday
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale at times.