The South Island is in line for a battering from heavy rain and strong winds

MetService has issued heavy rain watches this afternoon for the Tasman area, as well as Canterbury and Otago.

The same areas also have strong wind warnings in place with northerlies expected to become severe by tonight.

Forecaster April Clark says western parts of the South Island will be the hardest hit.

Heavy snow is expected late tomorrow...falling to 400 metres in places.