Indoor games could be on the cards for the start of the school holidays, with severe weather watches in place for many parts of the country.

In the Bay of Plenty, rain is expected to become persistent in the afternoon, with heavy falls likely to develop in the evening.

Easterly winds are also expected to become heavy in the evening.

A heavy rain warning is currently in place for the region.

Image: MetService.

MetService is forecasting heavy rain in Canterbury from 6am Monday until Tuesday night.

The rain is expected to turn to snow above 500 metres in the Canterbury High Country.

Rain approaching warning criteria could also fall in Northland from two o'clock Monday afternoon until Tuesday morning.

It will reach Waikato, Taupo, Taihape and Gisborne Monday night and the upper South Island by Tuesday morning.

Winds approaching severe gale in exposed areas are likely for most of the country.

"With a low moving in from the west, and fronts approaching from the south and north, all bringing rain, we've got a pretty active run of days ahead of us," says MetService meteorologist Alwyn Bakker.

MetService is describing the upcoming weather as a significant event.

-RNZ.