Wet and wild weather is on its way this week.

Heavy rain and severe gales were expected throughout the country, to MetService meteorologist Daniel Corbett said.

The South Island was expected bear the brunt of the severe weather starting this evening and the North Island should catch up by Wednesday.

A warning was currently in force until Wednesday morning for heavy rain in Westland and Fiordland.

Severe northwest gales were expected in Southland, Otago and inland Canterbury.

Northwest gales were also likely to become severe about parts of Marlborough for a time on Wednesday.

Gales were likely in Wellington on Friday and Saturday, and there was a chance these could be severe for a time.

- APNZ