Wild weather is set to engulf the entire South Island today

A deep low south west of the country is bringing a series of fronts - with plenty of wind and rain, from Stewart Island to Nelson.

MetService meteorologist, Ashlee Parkes, says a strong wind warning has been issued for the Canterbury high country and Marlborough.

She says winds will get as high as 140 kilometres an hour.

Later today the low will head north, bringing rain to much of the lower North Island.