The worst of the weather that caused flooding and high winds in Otago and Southland yesterday should be over by today, but a cold front bringing the possibility of snow above 500m is forecast to arrive late in the day.
Metservice duty forecaster Liz Walsh said rain was expected to die out overnight and forecast clear conditions in Otago and Southland this morning.
However, after an expected high in Dunedin of 10degC today, a cold front was expected to bring snow to above 500 metres in Otago and Southland this evening, Ms Walsh said.
Environment Southland duty flood warning officer Stacey Stuart said the Mataura River was last night up 2.3m in what was a one-in-10-year flood event.
As of just before 6pm yesterday, the river was still rising at Fairlight in northern Southland and was expected to peak a few hours later, Mrs Stuart said.
Floodwaters would continue to make their way down the catchment today and people needed to be aware the river would be high, even if it was no longer raining, she said.
Most other rivers in Southland also continued to be above normal levels.
Heavy rain also caused flooding in parts of Central Otago yesterday.
Central Otago police responded to various reports of flooding on roads throughout the district.
Bannockburn was affected, as well as the stretch between Cromwell and Wanaka.
