Temperatures for the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and Hawke's Bay regions are expected to go up to the mid-20s today, as most of the North Island receives sunny, fine weather.

Moderate westerlies and gusts are forecast for Tauranga, and light winds and afternoon northeasterlies expected in Hawke's Bay.

In Coromandel a light southwesterly breeze will be flowing through the peninsula today.

Gardening tips

For those planning a spot of gardening, autumn has arrived, and the air is cooling down. It's a perfect time to prepare the winter garden so you can enjoy a variety of fruit, vegetables and flowers through the winter months. Start by replenish the nutrients lost in your soil over summer by digging in lots of compost.

Continue to harvest the last of the summer vegetables before they all disappear, and if you have a plentiful harvest; cooking, pickling or blanching then freezing is a great way of storing for future meals. Leftover scraps from the kitchen can also be used as compost for your garden. Vegetables such as garlic, beans, beetroot and leafy greens like Kale can be planted at this time of year.

Trim hedges, keeping them strong, compact and bushy will help them survive the winter. Deadhead and prune back plants that have finished flowering. Also start thinking about spring, flowering bulbs like freesias will create a lovely fragrance in the air and add lots of colour to brighten an outdoor area.

Severe Weather Warning for southern New Zealand

MetService has issued a Severe Weather Warning with heavy rain and strong winds expected for parts of central and southern New Zealand

An active front preceded by a strong northwest flow is forecast to move north over the South Island today and early Monday. This front is expected to bring a brief period of heavy rain, with thunderstorms and downpours possible about western parts of the South Island.

Heavy Rain Warnings are in force for Fiordland and Westland, while Rain Watches are in place for Southland, Clutha and the headwaters of the Otago and Canterbury lakes, Buller and Tararua Range. A Watch for severe northwest gales is in place for the Canterbury High Country, Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa.

Heavy Rain Warning
Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.

Area: Westland
Valid: 14 hours from 5:00pm Sun 12 Mar to 7:00am Mon 13 Mar
Forecast: Expect 70 to 100 mm of rain about the ranges, with lesser amounts nearer the coast. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h, but 25 to 35 mm/h in thunderstorms and possible downpours.

Area: Fiordland
Valid: 12 hours from 12:00pm Sun 12 Mar to 12:00am Mon 13 Mar
Forecast: Expect 70 to 100 mm of rain, but up to 130 mm in localised places if downpours occur. Peak rates of 25 to 35 mm/h in thunderstorms and possible downpours.

Severe Weather Watch

MetService has issued a Severe Weather Watch on Sunday morning with heavy rain and strong winds expected for parts of central and southern New Zealand

An active front preceded by a strong northwest flow is forecast to move north over the South Island today and early Monday. This front is expected to bring a brief period of heavy rain, with thunderstorms and downpours possible about western parts of the South Island.

Heavy Rain Warnings are in force for Fiordland and Westland, while Rain Watches are in place for Southland, Clutha and the headwaters of the Otago and Canterbury lakes, Buller and Tararua Range. A Watch for severe northwest gales is in place for the Canterbury High Country, Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa.

People are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecasts in case any changes are made, or more areas are added.

Heavy Rain Watch:
Area: Tararua Range
Valid: 12 hours from 4:00am Mon 13 Mar to 4:00pm Mon 13 Mar
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain with possible thunderstorms. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Buller
Valid: 12 hours from 9:00pm Sun 12 Mar to 9:00am Mon 13 Mar
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain with possible thunderstorms. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Headwaters of the Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Mt Cook
Valid: 7 hours from 9:00pm Sun 12 Mar to 4:00am Mon 13 Mar
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach short duration warning criteria within 15km from the main divide.

Area: Southland and Clutha
Valid: 12 hours from 4:00pm Sun 12 Mar to 4:00am Mon 13 Mar
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.

Strong Wind Watch
Area: Wellington and Wairarapa
Valid: 10 hours from 6:00am Mon 13 Mar to 4:00pm Mon 13 Mar
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Canterbury High Country and Marlborough
Valid: 12 hours from 10:00pm Sun 12 Mar to 10:00am Mon 13 Mar
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.