More rain is predicted for a "saturated" Otago and Southland as another vigorous cold front moves on to the South Island, possibly bringing with it severe gales.
MetService has issued a severe weather warning of heavy rain in the headwaters of Otago and Canterbury rivers and urged Otago residents to keep up to date with forecasts in case a warning is issued for severe gales this morning.
MetService ambassador Bob McDavitt said the heaviest falls of rain were expected to begin last night and move on to the West Coast and Southern Alps today.
Today, significant falls of up to 150mm were likely to spill over the Southern Alps and into the headwaters of Otago and Canterbury rivers, he said.
"This comes on top of a recent heavy rainfall which has already saturated the west and south of the South Island," Mr McDavitt said.
People in those areas, especially trampers in the alps and recreational river users in Otago and Canterbury, were advised to watch for already swollen or rapidly-rising rivers and streams, he said.