A weather front is expected to move northwards over the South Island during Monday, says a MetService spokesperson.

Ahead of the front, strong northwesterlies should affect many South Island and southern North Island places, and there is moderate confidence that a wind warning will be needed in Fiordland, Southland, Otago and inland Canterbury.

For much of Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa, including the Tararua District, there is low confidence that a wind warning will be required.

Behind the front, the winds turn southwest and there is low confidence that they will be strong enough to need a warning in Stewart Island and coastal areas of mainland Southland, Clutha and Dunedin.

Heavy rain is likely in Fiordland and the Westland District, and there is low confidence that warning amounts of rain will fall in these areas.

During Tuesday, the front should weaken as it moves onto the North Island. A high is expected to form over the South Island.

Strong westerly winds over the southern North Island should ease during Tuesday morning, but there is low confidence that a wind warning will be in place for Central Hawke's Bay to central Wairarapa during the early part of the day.

By early Wednesday, the high should spread over most of the country. MetService says there is minimal risk of severe weather.

The high is expected to remain over the country during Thursday and there continues to be minimal risk of severe weather.