Warnings are in place for parts of Otago and Southland as a front tipped to drench the West Coast brings wild weather to many areas.
MetService this morning issued Orange heavy rain warnings for Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound and for the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers.
The forecaster said the heaviest falls were expected overnight going into Wednesday, and heavy rain could return later in the day and the warning could be extended.
There was also a strong wind warning for Fiordland, and a strong wind watch for Southland west of Riversdale and Winton, the Queenstown Lakes District and Central Otago, also overnight into Wednesday.
Severe gale north-to-northwesterlies (up to 140kmh) were expected in exposed places.
Further north, watches and warnings were in place all the way up the West Coast and also for much of Canterbury, Buller and the Tasman District.
MetService said the wild weather was coming as a front, preceded by strong and moist northerly winds, and would move on to the South Island from the west on Wednesday, then slowly northeastwards during Thursday.
The forecaster said the amount of rain forecast for central parts of Westland was significant, with slips and flooding possible, and the warning could be upgraded to Red closer to the time.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency urged road users to take care if using state highways in the area.
MetService said up to 500mm of rain could fall between Ross and Bruce Bay in South Westland and south of Arthur’s Pass (State Highway 73) from the early hours of Wednesday into Thursday.
The headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers may catch the rain, with streams rising fast.
“Please check the MetService warnings if you are driving along SH6 or in Fiordland,” Waka Kotahi Journey Manager Tresca Forrester said. “And the Waka Kotahi highways page for any advice or closures.”
