It’s likely going to be a wet and windy day for parts of the lower South Island as a strong “moist” northwesterly flow followed by a front is expected to hit tomorrow.
A number of rain and wind warnings have been issued by MetService, with “unusually large” amounts of rain expected in some areas.
Westland south of Otira is under an orange rain warning, starting at 7pm tomorrow evening and lasting until 10pm on Monday.
Locals can expect 100 to 150mm of rain about the ranges north of the Glaciers and 200 to 250mm about the ranges further south.
Near the coast, 70 to 140mm of rain is expected “with the largest amounts about and south of the Glaciers”.
Fiordland is also under a heavy rain warning, lasting from 8am tomorrow to 3pm on Monday. Around 300 to 400mm of rain is expected, with the fiords likely to see the largest amounts.
“Note that these rainfall amounts are unusually large, even for Fiordland,” MetService said.
“Streams and rivers are likely to rise rapidly, and damage to trails and roads is possible.”
Headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers can expect “periods of heavy rain” between Sunday and Monday. The area is under a heavy rain watch.
“Rainfall amounts may exceed warning criteria within 30 km east of the main divide, and it is likely that this watch will be upgraded to a warning closer to the event.”
Fiordland, Southland, Stewart Island and Clutha are under strong wind watches, with northwest winds potentially approaching “severe gale in exposed places.”
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