A series of fronts moving over the North and South Islands have meant wet weather and gale force winds battered much of the country this weekend.

Today is forecast to bring much of the same, with severe weather watches remaining in place for many parts of the South Island.

The rest of the weekend will be reasonably wet in Auckland, with showers set to continue tomorrow and Tuesday.

MetService has a severe weather watch in place for heavy rain and severe gale west to northwest winds for many parts of the South Island today and tomorrow.

The heaviest rain is expected in Fiordland, Westland south of Otira and the headwaters of Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers, and a warning is in place for these areas.

Severe weather warnings and watches have been issued this morning for weather affecting the South Island and lower North Island tomorrow. See details here - https://t.co/Yjbq0jxdqz ^AH pic.twitter.com/CDtGZp4yB3

— MetService (@MetService) May 19, 2018

MetService meteorologist Andrew James said the pattern would continue through the weekend, with more fronts bringing rain mainly to the west, while the east coast of both islands should remain a little drier.

A southwesterly flow of wind meant temperatures would stay low in the south for the next few days, James said.

Aucklanders got a shock to the system on Friday when the unseasonably warm May temperatures dropped suddenly.

While it's set to be reasonably wet for the rest of the weekend and early next week in Auckland, it won't be cold.

The temperature is forecast to sit at about 19C.