A slow-moving front is expected to bring further heavy rain to already sodden parts of Otago over the next few days, as well as snow to low levels.
North Otago authorities, already on floodwatch, remained on alert last night after the MetService forecast a rain band moving south would drop up to 100mm over Canterbury, from the Hurunui River south, and 50mm-80mm on Otago's hills and ranges by midnight tonight.
The rain was likely to continue into tomorrow.
People in Canterbury and coastal Otago were advised streams and rivers might rise rapidly and local flooding and slips were possible. Driving conditions could become difficult and road closures were possible.
There was also a high likelihood of snow in South Canterbury and Otago last night and today, MetService forecaster John Law said last night.
Snow could fall to 500m, with heavy falls of 20cm-40cm above 600m, from the Rock and Pillar Range to the Mackenzie Basin.
Some snow and sleet could also fall below 500m, he said.
"The snow could fall close to the Dunedin suburbs, but you are more likely to get sleet than snow in the city. It seems pretty certain that it is going to be a wet one."
Waitaki Civil Defence emergency services manager Chris Raine said yesterday river levels and rural roads in North Otago, already affected by persistent rain over the past week, would be carefully monitored today.
About 103mm of rain had fallen at Oamaru between August 2 and 8pm yesterday and he expected the total to rise to 150mm by the end of the day.
River levels in Otago and North Otago were well below first flood levels last night, the Otago Regional Council website showed.
More than a dozen roads in the district were closed because of flooding last week, although only three remained so yesterday.
Paddocks still had a lot of water in them and rivers had low to medium flows from rain three days ago.
"The catchment is saturated and this rain will only add more additional water to the area ..."
