Issued at 9:31am Monday 21 Sep 2020

Heavy rain in the west and gale northwesterlies in the east of central and southern New Zealand

An active front is forecast to move north across southern and central New Zealand during Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing periods of heavy rain to the west and gale to severe gale northwesterlies in the east.

Warnings and watches for heavy rain and severe gale west to northwest winds are now in force for many places.

People are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecasts in case any changes are made.

Heavy Rain Watch

Area: Tararua range
Valid: 12 hours from 11:00am to 11:00pm Wednesday
Forecast: A period of heavy rain. Rainfall accumulations may approach warning criteria.

Area: Mount Taranaki
Valid: 10 hours from 1:00pm to 11:00pm Wednesday
Forecast: A period of heavy rain. Rainfall accumulations may approach warning criteria.

Area: Nelson about and west of Motueka, Buller and Westland north of Otira
Valid: 12 hours from 3:00am to 3:00pm Wednesday
Forecast: A period of heavy rain. Rainfall accumulations may approach warning criteria, especially about the ranges.

Strong Wind Watch

Area: Hawke's Bay south of Hastings, Tararua District
Valid: 12 hours from 8:00am to 8:00pm Wednesday
Forecast: West to northwest winds may approach severe gale force in exposed places.

Area: Marlborough
Valid: 17 hours from 1:00am to 6:00pm Wednesday
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale force in exposed places.

Area: Wairarapa excluding the Tararua District, Wellington
Valid: 14 hours from 5:00am to 7:00pm Wednesday
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale force in exposed places. Please note, there is a good chance that this watch will be upgraded to an orange warning.

Area: Otago
Valid: 19 hours from 11:00am Tuesday to 6:00am Wednesday
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale force in exposed places at times.

Area: Clutha, Southland, Stewart Island and Fiordland lakes
Valid: 20 hours from 5:00am Tuesday to 1:00am Wednesday
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale force in exposed places at times.

An update for severe weather will be issued by 9:00pm Monday 21 Sep 2020.

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