Heavy rain is forecast for eastern parts of the country and southeasterly gales for central New Zealand.

A Heavy Rain Watch has been put in place by MetService for Coromandel Peninsula, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and parts of Canterbury.

A front, preceded by a moist northerly flow, is moving east over central and northern New Zealand on Monday, and becoming slow moving over the upper North Island during Tuesday.

This front is expected to bring a period of rain to northern and eastern parts of the country and Heavy Rain Watches are in place.

Much colder southerly winds follow the front, which should bring the snow down to about 600 metres in Canterbury early Monday. Some higher roads and passes in the South Island will be affected by snow.

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

Heavy Rain Watch
Area: Coromandel Peninsula
Valid: 24 hours from 6:00pm Mon 5 Jun to 6:00pm Tue 6 Jun
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Gisborne
Valid: 30 hours from 12:00pm Mon 5 Jun to 6:00pm Tue 6 Jun
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, especially about the ranges. This Watch may be upgraded to a Warning closer to the time, and the validity period may also be extended.

Area: Hawke's Bay
Valid: 26 hours from 2:00pm Mon 5 Jun to 4:00pm Tue 6 Jun
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, mainly about the ranges. This watch may be upgraded to a Warning closer to the time, and the validity period may also be extended.

Area: Canterbury north of Arthur's Pass and Marlborough east of Awatere Valley
Valid: 10 hours from 8:00pm Sun 4 Jun to 6:00am Mon 5 Jun
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, mainly about the ranges.
Note, rain gradually easing from the south during Monday morning.

Strong Wind Watch
Area: Taranaki
Valid: 21 hours from 3:00pm Mon 5 Jun to 12:00pm Tue 6 Jun
Forecast: South to southeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places, mainly north of the mountain.

Area: Wellington and Marlborough Sounds
Valid: 14 hours from 6:00am Mon 5 Jun to 8:00pm Mon 5 Jun
Forecast: South to southeast winds may approach severe gale at times.

Area: Nelson, Buller and Marlborough west of Wairau Valley but excluding the Sounds
Valid: 41 hours from 10:00pm Sun 4 Jun to 3:00pm Tue 6 Jun
Forecast: Southeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places, mainly inland.
Note, strong southeast winds developing in Buller Sunday night and in Nelson and Marlborough early Monday morning.

Area: Westland including the Grey District
Valid: 13 hours from 8:00pm Sun 4 Jun to 9:00am Mon 5 Jun
Forecast: Southeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places, especially inland.

Watches no longer in Force
Heavy Rain Watch lifted for Westland south of Otira: Heavy rain has eased and the Watch is now lifted.

Heavy Snow Watch lifted for Central Otago about and west of Alexandra including the Queenstown Lakes District: Snow has cleared and the Watch is now lifted.