The MetService has issued a severe weather watch this morning for parts of central New Zealand.

WeatherWatch weather analyst Aaron Wilkinson says a low pressure system is moving over central New Zealand later today, flinging a front onto the western North Island later this afternoon or evening.

These features should bring periods of rain, with some heavy falls.

The far south of the South Island has a mainly settled day. An active front, preceded by strong west to northwesterlies, is forecast to approach the south of the South Island Sunday evening, then move northeast over the island on Monday, bringing a period of heavy rain to the west coast.

The severe weather watch covers the possibilities that rainfall accumulations could reach warning criteria about the Tararua Range, northwest Nelson and Buller today - Saturday, and about Fiordland overnight Sunday.

This watch also covers the possibility that west to northwesterly winds may approach severe gale about coastal Southland and Clutha from Sunday night to Monday morning

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
Thickening cloud, mainly dry today but the odd shower about Waikato and Bay Of Plenty later. Rain moves in late afternoon or evening especially Northland through to Waikato by evening then easing overnight. Increasing northerly winds.
Highs: 15-16

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Patchy rain or showers, more persistent for a time late afternoon / evening about Taranaki. North to northwesterly winds.
Highs: 14-17

Eastern North Island
High cloud, some sun at times. A few showers spreading into Wairarapa at times, more so afternoon / evening. Northerly winds.
Highs: 16-20

Wellington
Morning rain eases to showers, northerlies.
High: 13

Marlborough & Nelson
Areas of rain with easterlies tending northerly in the afternoon. Rain may be more persistent for a time late afternoon / evening.
Highs: 12-13

Canterbury
Patchy rain, may be more persistent for a time in the evening then easing overnight. Easterly winds.
Highs: 9-11

West Coast
Mostly sunny for South Westland, North Westland is cloudier with a few showers possible then afternoon rain. Winds are fairly light, tending to the south north of about Greymouth.
Highs: 11-12

Southland & Otago
Mostly sunny for Southland. Central Otago may see some morning cloud then mostly sunny. Coastal Otago has a mix of sun and cloud, perhaps the risk of a light shower late afternoon / evening, winds from the northeast.
Highs: 12-14