The strong westerly flow over New Zealand should quickly strengthen again during Tuesday morning.

A front should move off to the east of the North Island overnight.

The next, fast-moving front should move onto the South Island Tuesday morning and onto the North Island in the afternoon.

This watch covers a number of events outside those listed in the Severe Weather Warning.

1) A brief period of heavy rain is expected in eastern Bay of Plenty tonight but should have cleared by dawn on Tuesday.

2) A period of heavy rain is expected for Fiordland, Westland, Buller and northwest Nelson on Tuesday. Note much of the precipitation in the ranges will be falling as snow.

3) A period of westerly gales is expected from late Tuesday morning for coastal areas of Southland and Clutha with the possibility these gales may briefly be severe.

4) During Tuesday morning westerly winds are expected to rise to gale force in exposed parts of Gisborne, Hawkes Bay north of Napier, Taranaki, Taihape, Wanganui, Manawatu, Horowhenua and Kapiti Coast.

These winds may briefly become severe Tuesday afternoon.

5) Snowfalls are expected about the Otago Lakes, Southland, and the Catlins down to near sea-level from late Tuesday morning. Although snowfalls will probably not reach warning amounts they may cause trouble on many roads. Note a heavy snow warning is in force for southern Westland and Fiordland.

6) Another brief period of heavy rain is expected for the Tararua Range from about midday Tuesday.

The watch for possible severe westerly gales over the northern half of the North Island for Monday night is now lifted. Although westerly winds may reach gale in some exposed coastal areas, severe gales are unlikely.

This Watch will be reviewed by 11am Tuesday Forecast prepared by: Oliver Druce

For further information after 9pm contact Duty Forecaster Allister Gorman