WeatherWatch is forecasting a partly cloudy day ahead for the Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions.

A Heavy Rain Watch for central New Zealand and a Heavy Snow Watch for the northern parts of the South Island has been issued by MetService.

"Showers more likely for Bay of Plenty," says a WeatherWatch spokesperson.

There's a chance of showers for all four of the regions with expected highs of between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius.

"Partly cloudy. Showers becoming more widespread this evening as northerlies change northwest."

Desert Road

A few snow showers are likely during Sunday morning and afternoon, says a MetService spokesperson.

"One to two centimetres of snow may accumulate on the road above 800 metres."

Rain and snow further south

A low or front moving into central New Zealand today brings rain which may be heavy, especially for the upper South Island.

A severe weather watch has been issued by MetService for parts of New Zealand.

"Heavy rain for central New Zealand, and heavy snow for northern parts
of the South Island,' says a MetService spokesperson.

A low pressure system is expected to move southeast across central New Zealand today, bringing a period of heavy northerly rain,followed by cold southerly rain overnight Saturday.

"The heaviest falls are expected in the Tasman District, Marlborough and Wellington, where the rainfall accumulations may approach warning criteria," says a MetService spokesperson.

"Heavy snow is likely about parts of Marlborough and North Canterbury,and a Watch is in force for warning amounts of snow above 400 metres."

People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case any changes are made, or further areas are added.

A Heavy Rain Watch is in place for these regions:

Tasman
Valid: 12 hours from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm Saturday
Forecast: A period of heavy northerly rain, rainfall accumulations may approach warning criteria, especially west of Motueka.

Marlborough
Valid: 18 hours from 11:00 am Saturday to 5:00 am Sunday
Forecast: A period of heavy northerly rain turning southerly overnight Saturday. Rainfall accumulations may approach warning criteria.

Note, rain may fall as snow to about 200 metres south of Seddon from Saturday night as detailed in the Heavy Snow Watch.

Wellington
Valid: 7 hours from 1:00 am to 8:00 am Sunday
Forecast: A period of heavy rain. Rainfall accumulations may approach short-duration warning amounts.

Heavy Snow Watch:

A Heavy Snow Watch is in place for inland Marlborough south of Seddon, and the Canterbury High Country north of the Rangitata River. This Watch is valid for 11 hours from 7 pm Saturday to 6am Sunday. A period of heavy snow above 400 metres, with lighter falls down to 100 to 200 metres is forecast for this region. Snow accumulation above 400 metres may approach warning criteria.

WeatherWatch forecast for the following regions for Saturday:

Western North Island including Central North Island
A few showers, rain for Taranaki and south of Palmerston North. North to northwesterly winds.
Highs: 10-15

Eastern North Island
Sun and some high cloud, rain spreads into from the west into Wairarapa. A few spits of rain north of Napier overnight. North to northwesterly winds.
Highs: 15-17

Wellington
Rain (possibly heavy), northerly winds.
Highs: 13

Marlborough and Nelson
Rain develops this morning, possibly heavy from afternoon. Northerlies.
Highs: 9-13

Canterbury
Thickening high cloud, patchy rain moves in during the afternoon, more persistent for North Canterbury. In the evening rain become persistent for most of Canterbury, heavy in the north. Southwesterlies pick up later today.
Highs: 5-13

West Coast
High cloud, some rain for Fiordland, rain moves in north of Greymouth this afternoon then becoming heavy. Light winds tend southwest later today.
Highs: 7-12

Southland and Otago
Mostly cloudy, a few showers for Southland, perhaps some rain in the west. Light winds gradually tend southwest this afternoon.
Highs: 8-10