Southern and central New Zealand is about to be lashed by a storm, bringing heavy rain and strong winds

MetService predicts gales striking the bottom of the country this morning and a fast moving front working its way northwards over two days.

More than a dozen wind and rain watches and warnings have been issued, with the West Coast expected to cop 240 millimetres of rain in the ranges, and half this nearer the coast.

Strong winds are likely to increase in strength up to 120 kilometres an hour through Canterbury tonight, and the lower North Island tomorrow.