MetService has issued a snowfall warning for Desert Road.

"Rain is expected to turn to snow above 600 metres on Monday evening," says a MetService spokesperson.

"Expect 6 to 10 cm of snow to accumulate on the road above 900 metres with lesser amounts further down."

The snowfall warning for Desert Road is valid for 10 hours from 5pm Monday September 5 to 3am Monday September 6.

A Severe Weather Watch has been issued by MetService for parts of the country with gales, heavy rain and snow expected.

"Gales for parts of southern and central New Zealand. Heavy rain for the upper North Island. Heavy snow for the North Island eastern ranges," says a MetService spokesperson.

A Heavy Snow Watch is in place for Gisborne, Hawkes Bay and Taupo, from Matawai to the Kaimanawa and Kaweka Forest Parks. This Heavy Snow Watch is valid for six from 8pm Monday to 2am Tuesday. A period of heavy snow is expected above 800 metres, where accumulations may approach warning amounts. Lighter falls may fall to 600 metres.

A strong west to southwest flow covers southern and central New Zealand today.

"A Strong Wind Warning remains in force for coastal parts of Clutha and Southland, also Stewart Island. A Strong Wind Watch covers the Canterbury High Country, and remaining parts of Otago - except North Otago, and Southland not covered by the Strong Wind Warning."

On Monday and overnight into Tuesday morning, a low pressure system is forecast to move across the upper North Island, bringing a period of heavy rain to northern areas and strong to gale winds to many
parts of the North Island.

A Heavy Rain Warning is now in place for Northland, with Watches for Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula.

"Note, rain may turn to snow about the ranges of southern Gisborne,Hawkes Bay and eastern Taupo, where a Heavy Snow Watch is now in force."

People are advised to keep up to date with forecasts in case any changes are made or more areas are added.

Heavy Rain Watch:

Area: Coromandel Peninsula and Auckland north of the Harbour Bridge,
including Great Barrier Island
Valid: 9 hours from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm Monday
Forecast: A period of heavy rain. Rainfall accumulations may approach warning amounts.

Strong Wind Watch is in place for these areas:

Area: Northland
Valid: 5 hours from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Monday
Forecast: North to northeast winds may approach severe gale in
exposed places.

Area: Auckland
Valid: 5 hours from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm Monday
Forecast: Northeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Eastern parts of Bay of Plenty and Taupo
Valid: 10 hours from 10:00 pm Monday to 8:00 am Tuesday
Forecast: Southeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Taranaki
Valid: 9 hours from 10:00 pm Monday to 7:00 am Tuesday
Forecast: Southeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Canterbury High Country, Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago,
Dunedin, and inland parts of Clutha and Southland
Valid: 8 hours from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday
Forecast: Westerly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.