Weather: Heavy warnings and watches as school holidays begin

Make the most of the fine weather on Tuesday because heavier rainfall is expected for much of the country from Wednesday.

MetService said the rain would reach many parts of the country on Wednesday and Thursday.

"As we near midweek, MetService is forecasting heavy rain and strong winds to put an end to the sunny spree."

In the South Island, Heavy Rain Warnings were in place for Westland, Tasman northwest of Motueka, and the Richmond and Bryant Ranges from Wednesday.

In Westland up to 190mm of rain was expected in the ranges with lesser amounts near the coast.

A yellow Heavy Rain Watch was in place for Buller and Grey districts from 10am Wednesday.

While Heavy Rain Watches in the North Island began later in the day Wednesday in Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and Northland.

An orange Heavy Rain Warning was also issued for Mount Taranaki from 3pm Wednesday with up to 130mm of rain forecast.

A Heavy Snow Watch was also in place for Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes District.

A Road Snowfall Warning has been issued for Milford Road (SH94) from 11am through until 7pm Wednesday with possibly up to 15cm of snow expected to settle near the tunnel.

Streams and rivers could rise rapidly and there may be flooding and slips, MetService said.

In the North Island on Wednesday the forecast was for scattered showers turning to rain in the north and west, with some heavy falls in the north. While in the South Island, the rain was expected to start in the southeast and spread everywhere.

Temperatures were also expected to be mild.