A deep low in the Southern Ocean will this weekend bring heavy rain to the west and gales, possibly severe, from Wellington to Canterbury.

The low, which will be centred well south of New Zealand, will brush against the South Island and push against a large high in the Tasman Sea creating strong nor’westers across Canterbury, Wellington and Marlborough.

MetService says they currently have “low” confidence of severe gales in these regions on Sunday and Monday and “moderate” confidence rain will be heavy enough along the West Coast to prompt rain warnings.

The rough weather isn’t expected to go beyond the lower North Island, so no significant rain is in sight for Northland and other dry northern regions.

Despite the stormy weather temperatures aren’t expected to be as cold as they were yesterday morning.