Weather warnings are in place tonight and tomorrow morning for Southland and Fiordland.

Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound could be soaked by 60 to 90mm of rain between 9pm tonight (1 November) and 6am tomorrow.

Peak rates of 20 to 30mm/h are expected early Wednesday morning. That may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.

The MetService has put a 'Heavy Rain Warning - Orange' in place, with an update a 9pm tonight.

The same level of warning is in place for the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers, from 1am tomorrow until 1pm, with 100 to 150 mm of rain about the divide, and 70 to 100 mm within 25 km east of the divide.

Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h are expected before dawn on Wednesday. Heavy rain may return later Wednesday and this warning may be extended.

Across the rest of Fiordland, a 'Strong Wind Warning - Orange' is in place for 10hrs from 6pm tonight, with severe gale north to northwesterlies gusting 130 to 140 km/h in exposed places.

The MetService is warning strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

And there's a 'Strong Wind Watch' in place for Southland west of Riversdale and Winton, the Queenstown Lakes District and Central Otago, for 11hrs from 6pm tonight.

North to northwest winds may reach severe gale in exposed places.

The West Coast is expected to get the most rain, however, from the coming front. Westland could see 400 to 550 mm or possibly more to accumulate on the ranges between Ross and Bruce Bay, with 200 to 350 mm of rain about the ranges south of Bruce Bay, and 120 to 220 mm about the ranges north of Otira.

About the coast, expect 80 to 150 mm. Peak rates of 20 to 35 mm/h or possibly more expected about the ranges from Wednesday morning to Wednesday night, especially between Ross and Bruce Bay, and another period possible during Thursday morning.

The Heavy Rain Warning - Orange is in place for Westland from 32hrs, from 1am tomorrow.