Heavy rain and severe gales are expected for parts of central and southern New Zealand. A low is moving east across the South Island today, followed by an active trough on Sunday.

"Very strong winds and heavy rain associated with these features will affect several areas of the South Island and southern North Island, and Warnings and Watches are in place," says a MetService spokesperson.

People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts and check for updates and additions to these Watches and Warnings.

A Heavy Rain Watch is in place for Tasman west of Motueka, also Buller and Grey Districts. This is valid for eight hours from 9am - 5pm, Sunday, October 15. 

"Further rain is expected today, possibly heavy at times, but accumulations are not expected to approach Warning criteria.

"Another period of heavy rain is expected from Sunday morning, and the validity of this Watch has been extended. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria about the ranges during this time."

A Heavy Rain Watch is also in place for Fiordland, which is valid for 25 hours from 9am, Saturday, October 14 to 10am Sunday, October 15. A period of heavy rain is expected from early Sunday morning and the validity of this Watch has been extended. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria during this time.

A Heavy Rain Watch is in place for the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers. This watch is valid for 27 hours from 9am, Saturday, October 14 to 12pm, Sunday, October 15. A period of heavy rain and amounts may approach warning criteria within 15 km east of the divide. 

A Strong Wind Watch is in place for:
Area: Tararua District and Wairarapa between Woodville and Carterton
Valid: 35 hours from 9:00am Sat 14 Oct to 8:00pm Sun 15 Oct
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Winds are expected to ease Saturday evening but another period of strong winds is expected from around midday Sunday and the validity of this Watch has been extended to cover this period. It may be upgraded to a Warning Saturday evening.

Area: Westland south of Harihari and Fiordland north of Milford Sound
Valid: 4 hours from 9:00am Sat 14 Oct to 1:00pm Sat 14 Oct
Forecast: North to northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Southland and Fiordland
Valid: 7 hours from 1:00am Sun 15 Oct to 8:00am Sun 15 Oct
Forecast: North to northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Queenstown Lakes, Central and North Otago 
Valid: 24 hours from 9:00am Sat 14 Oct to 9:00am Sun 15 Oct
Forecast: North to northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Winds are expected to ease Saturday afternoon but another period of strong winds is expected Sunday morning and the validity of this Watch has been extended.

Area: Dunedin and Clutha 
Valid: 24 hours from 9:00am Sat 14 Oct to 9:00am Sun 15 Oct
Forecast: Northwesterlies changing west to southwest late Saturday morning. Winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Winds are expected to ease Saturday afternoon but another period of strong north to northwest winds is expected Sunday morning and the validity of this Watch has been extended.

A Heavy Rain Watch is in place for:
Area: Tasman west of Motueka, also Buller and Grey Districts
Valid: 8 hours from 9:00am Sun 15 Oct to 5:00pm Sun 15 Oct
Forecast: Further rain is expected today, possibly heavy at times, but accumulations are not expected to approach Warning criteria.

Another period of heavy rain is expected from Sunday morning, and the validity of this Watch has been extended. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria about the ranges during this time.

Area: Fiordland
Valid: 25 hours from 9:00am Sat 14 Oct to 10:00am Sun 15 Oct
Forecast: Heavy rain is expected to ease in Fiordland later this morning.

A period of heavy rain is expected from early Sunday morning and the validity of this Watch has been extended. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria during this time.

Area: Headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers
Valid: 27 hours from 9:00am Sat 14 Oct to 12:00pm Sun 15 Oct
Forecast: A period of heavy rain and amounts may approach warning criteria within 15 km east of the divide. Rain is expected to ease late Saturday morning.

A period of heavy rain is expected from early Sunday morning and the validity of this Watch has been extended. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria within 15 km east of the main divide.

A Strong Wind Watch is in place for:
Area: Tararua District and Wairarapa between Woodville and Carterton
Valid: 35 hours from 9:00am Sat 14 Oct to 8:00pm Sun 15 Oct
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Winds are expected to ease Saturday evening but another period of strong winds is expected from around midday Sunday and the validity of this Watch has been extended to cover this period. It may be upgraded to a Warning Saturday evening.

Area: Westland south of Harihari and Fiordland north of Milford Sound
Valid: 4 hours from 9:00am Sat 14 Oct to 1:00pm Sat 14 Oct
Forecast: North to northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Southland and Fiordland
Valid: 7 hours from 1:00am Sun 15 Oct to 8:00am Sun 15 Oct
Forecast: North to northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Queenstown Lakes, Central and North Otago 
Valid: 24 hours from 9:00am Sat 14 Oct to 9:00am Sun 15 Oct
Forecast: North to northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Winds are expected to ease Saturday afternoon but another period of strong winds is expected Sunday morning and the validity of this Watch has been extended.

Area: Dunedin and Clutha 
Valid: 24 hours from 9:00am Sat 14 Oct to 9:00am Sun 15 Oct
Forecast: Northwesterlies changing west to southwest late Saturday morning. Winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Winds are expected to ease Saturday afternoon but another period of strong north to northwest winds is expected Sunday morning and the validity of this Watch has been extended.