Strong winds, heavy rain fall expected as many regions under MetService's weather warnings, watches issued

Here's the latest.
Here's the latest. Photo credit: MetService & Getty Images

Heavy rain and strong winds are expected to lash many regions across the motu with Auckland's public transport already affected. 

It has also seen a number of MetService's weather warnings and watches remain in place.

Low associated fronts over the Tasman Sea are expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain to several regions across the motu from Monday through to Tuesday. 

MetService meteorologist John Law told Newshub that heavy rain will move across some regions throughout Monday. 

Fourteen of MetService's weather warnings or watches have been issued across the motu and MetService warns streams and rivers may rise rapidly, with surface flooding and slips possible too.

"Driving conditions may be hazardous," said MetService's website.

Auckland Transport (AT) tweeted on Monday morning a number of the Gulf Harbour Ferry crossings have been cancelled and replaced by buses because of "adverse weather conditions".

Northland's orange heavy rain warning came into effect at 8pm Sunday and expired at 8am Monday, though Law said some showers may still linger into Monday afternoon. 

Bay of Plenty about and west of Whakatane's heavy rain warning comes into effect at 10am Monday and expires at 3am Tuesday. 

"As this front moves across towards the Bay of Plenty, we're going to find that rain sticks around a little bit longer," said Law.  

Tasman west of Motueka is under a heavy rain warning too from 2am Monday to 5pm Monday.

"For the likes of those northwestern parts of the South Island, places like the Tasman area, we could see that rain continues to fall through towards the end of the day (Monday)," Law told Newshub. 

Westland south of Otira's heavy rain warning came into effect at 5am Monday and expires at 5pm Tuesday.

Coromandel Penisula is under a heavy rain watch from 1am Monday to 3pm Monday.

"Periods of heavy rain, with thunderstorms possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, especially about the ranges," warned MetService's website.

Mouth Taranaki is under a heavy rain watch from 4am Monday to 1pm Monday, so is Bull from 7am Monday to 12am Tuesday. 

Richmond and Bryant including the Rai Valley, as well as Tasman from Motueka eastwards but excluding the Nelson Lakes is under a heavy rain watch 5am Monday to 7pm Monday. 

A heavy rain watch has been issued for Fiordland from 6am Monday and is expected to expire 1pm Tuesday. 

Auckland including Great Barrier Island is under a heavy rain watch to which came into effect at 11pm Sunday and is due to expire at 12pm Monday.

A Strong wind watch has expired for Northland which came into effect at 8pm Sunday and expired 3am Monday. 

Coromandel Penisula is under a strong wind watch too from 1am Monday to 10am Monday.

Meteorologist Law said the watches and warnings should ease in the likes of Northland and Auckland, telling Newshub "hopefully [those regions] have seen the worst of it".

"It's worth saying there could still be a few showers around this afternoon (Monday)." 

He encouraged Kiwis to stay up to date with the latest warnings and watches on MetService's website. 

As the week progresses, Law told Newshub Aotearoa should see some "quieter weather".

"One thing we will notice though it is still incredibly mild, both buy and day and especially overnight."