Photo: MetService
MetService is predicting several heavy rain and strong wind watches across the country that may be upgraded to warnings.
The lower North Island is feeling the brunt of rough weather, with wind gusts reaching more than 130km/h in Wellington.
Motorists on the Remutaka Hill and the Wainui Saddle on Transmission Gully are being warned to check conditions before they travel because of the high winds.
State Highway 53 near Featherston has reopened after power lines falling near the road closed the route earlier on Sunday morning.
And it is possible the Waihenga River Bridge near Martinborough might have to close because the river is running high.
An orange-level heavy rain warning is in place in the Tararua Range until 8pm Sunday and a strong wind watch has been issued for Wellington, Wairarapa and the Tararua District.
MetService has issued a severe weather watch forecasting periods of heavy rain and strong northwest winds for central and southern parts of the country.
It said an unsettled northwest flow with embedded fronts would affect the country.
Warnings and watches were in force for heavy rain and severe gales.
There were heavy rain watches in Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taihape north of Ohakune and Taranaki northeast of Whangamomona from 5pm on Sunday for 43 hours.
It said there was a moderate chance of upgrading to a warning.
In Taranaki, rain was expected for 13 hours from 10am on Monday, while in the Westland ranges periods of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms were also expected from 5pm.
Both had a moderate chance of upgrading to a warning.
A strong wind watch was in place in Wellington, and northwest winds that could approach severe gales in exposed places were expected in the Canterbury High Country on Sunday until 6pm.
MetService said it would issue an update at 9pm on Sunday.
More than 1000 homes were also now without power in regions across the North Island.
Of those, nearly 700 are customers in Taranaki, Manawatu-Whanganui and Wairarapa, however there have also been blackouts in Kāpiti and Horowhenua.
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