A trough is bringing strong winds to southern and central parts of the country today, with brief heavy rain for the west of the South Island.

MetService says warnings and watches for severe gales and heavy rain are in force.

For the Bay of Plenty,  cloudy periods with some evening rain and strong westerlies are expected for Monday.

People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case more areas are added, or watches are upgraded to warnings.

Heavy Rain Warning
Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.

Area: Westland
Valid: 15 hours from 3:00am Mon 2 Oct to 6:00pm Mon 2 Oct
Forecast: Expect 90 to 110 mm about the ranges, with lesser amounts near the coast. Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h. Thunderstorms possible.

Strong Wind Warning
Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Area: Marlborough north of Ward, Wellington, Wairarapa and the Tararua District
Valid: 9 hours from 9:00am Mon 2 Oct to 6:00pm Mon 2 Oct
Forecast: Severe northwest gales gusting 120 km/h in exposed places.

Area: Canterbury High Country and the ranges of Marlborough
Valid: 18 hours from 2:00am Mon 2 Oct to 8:00pm Mon 2 Oct
Forecast: Severe northwest gales gusting 120 km/h in exposed places, but damaging gusts of 140 km/h possible early morning, and again during the afternoon and early evening.

Area: Canterbury Plains, Banks Peninsula, and coastal Marlborough south of Ward
Valid: 15 hours from 10:00am Mon 2 Oct to 1:00am Tue 3 Oct
Forecast: Severe northwest gales gusting 120 km/h in exposed places. Winds are expected to change southwest Monday evening, with severe gales gusting 120 km/h in exposed coastal places, especially on Banks Peninsula.

Area: Fiordland, Southland including Stewart Island, and Clutha
Valid: 13 hours from 5:00am Mon 2 Oct to 6:00pm Mon 2 Oct
Forecast: Northwest gales gusting 120 km/h in exposed places, turning southwest early afternoon and easing from the west, but damaging gusts of 130 km/h briefly possible in Clutha.

Area: Otago excluding Clutha
Valid: 12 hours from 10:00am Mon 2 Oct to 10:00pm Mon 2 Oct
Forecast: Severe northwest gales gusting 120 km/h in exposed places. Winds turn southwest during the afternoon, easing inland, but damaging gusts of 130 km/h briefly possible near the coast.

Heavy Rain Watch
Area: Buller
Valid: 10 hours from 8:00am Mon 2 Oct to 6:00pm Mon 2 Oct
Forecast: A period of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria about the ranges. Thunderstorms possible.

Area: Fiordland
Valid: 12 hours from 1:00am Mon 2 Oct to 1:00pm Mon 2 Oct
Forecast: A period of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, especially about the ranges. Thunderstorms possible.

Area: Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers
Valid: 10 hours from 4:00am Mon 2 Oct to 2:00pm Mon 2 Oct
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria within 10 km east of the main divide.

Strong Wind Watch
Area: Hawke's Bay south of Hastings
Valid: 21 hours from 9:00pm Sun 1 Oct to 6:00pm Mon 2 Oct
Forecast: West to northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.