An active front is forecast to move across the country on Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and severe gales to parts of New Zealand.
Wednesday marks the Spring Equinox and Metservice are forecasting it to align with a spell of gales and heavy rain.
Warnings and watches for heavy rain and severe gale west to northwest winds are now in force for many places.
A Heavy Rain Watch has been issued for Nelson about and west of Motueka for a 12-hour-period from 3am Wednesday, while a Strong Wind Watch is in place for Marlborough for 1am – 6pm Wednesday, where northwest winds may approach severe gale force in exposed places.
Severe weather information will be updated twice a day and people are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecasts in case changes are made.
