Weather: Rain and cold on the way

Westland and Fiordland are to expect heavy rain. Photo / Getty

Chilly wet weather is on its way as a front closes in on the country.

The settled weekend weather will become a distant memory as the rain-bearing front - which has slowly been approaching from south of Australia - begins to cross the South Island from tomorrow.

By Tuesday, it will move across the North Island.

The front was expected to bring rain to most regions, with the MetService issuing a warning for heavy rain in Westland and a watch for Fiordland.

MetService said there was also the potential for northwesterly gales to become severe in eastern areas ahead of the front, with watches in place for Southland, Otago, Canterbury, Wairarapa and central Hawkes Bay.

Behind the front, cold southerly air was expected to move onto the country.

"There is still some uncertainty regarding how cold this air will be, particularly for the east of the South Island on Tuesday," said MetService meteorologist Claire Flynn.

"The southerly winds could also be quite strong, especially about coastal areas."

The front would move away on Wednesday, to be replaced by an easing west to southwesterly flow.

That meant showers would clear in the east, but would linger in northern, western and far southern parts of the country.

"This pattern should persist into Thursday. However, another front approaches the Far South on Friday," Ms Flynn said.