Issued by MetService at 8:21pm Saturday 23-Sep-2017

Northwest gales for much of southern and central New Zealand from Sunday to Tuesday.

A very strong and moist northwest flow spreads onto New Zealand during Sunday, which persists until at least Tuesday. An embedded front will bring a burst of heavy rain to western areas as it moves slowly northwards from Sunday evening, and a Heavy Rain Warning has been issued for Fiordland, Westland south of Hokitika and the headwaters of Otago Lakes and rivers. A period of northwest gales are also forecast for much of southern and central New Zealand ahead of this front, and a Strong Wind Warning has been issued for Canterbury.

People are advised to keep up to date with forecasts as parts of this Watch will likely be upgraded to a Warning in Sunday morning's issue, and additional regions will be placed on Watch.

Strong Wind Watch

Area: Wairarapa
Valid: 36 hours from 3:00am Monday to 3:00pm Tuesday
Forecast: From early Monday morning to Tuesday afternoon, northwest gales may become severe in exposed places.

Area: Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds
Valid: 30 hours from 3:00am Monday to 9:00am Tuesday
Forecast: From early Monday morning to Tuesday morning, northwest gales may become severe in exposed places.

Area: Marlborough except the Sounds
Valid: 15 hours from 12:00am to 3:00pm Monday
Forecast: From midnight Sunday to Monday afternoon, northwest gales may become severe in exposed places.

Area: Otago
Valid: 15 hours from 3:00pm Sunday to 6:00am Monday
Forecast: From Sunday afternoon to around dawn Monday, northwest gales may become severe in exposed places, especially inland.

Area: Fiordland, Southland and Stewart Island
Valid: 15 hours from 12:00pm Sunday to 3:00am Monday
Forecast: From midday Sunday to early Monday morning, northwest gales may become severe in exposed places.

This watch will be updated by: 10:00am Sunday 24-Sep-2017

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