Heavy rain and strong winds have been forecast for parts of New Zealand, with several weather warnings and watches in place as a slow-moving front moves across the country.
According to MetService, the front was currently sitting over the South Island, bringing persistent rain to parts of the West Coast and Canterbury.
MetService meteorologist Juliana Bergdolt said Buller was expected to be the worst affected, with the front having stalled over the region.
"They've had some pretty consistent rain since yesterday evening," she told 1News.
An orange-level heavy rain warning had been issued for Buller, while heavy rain watches were in place for Taranaki Maunga, the Tararua Range, parts of Westland and Canterbury, and areas of Otago.
Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds were also under a strong wind watch, with MetService warning of northerly winds potentially reaching severe gale force in exposed areas overnight.
The slow-moving front was expected to move towards the North Island later today, with winds funnelling through Cook Strait bringing the possibility of severe northerly gales to Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds overnight.
Bergdolt said the unsettled conditions were typical for spring, despite the recent spell of warmer weather.
The front would begin moving north tomorrow, bringing rain to much of the North Island, while another front would travel up the eastern South Island to bring further showers.
"Heading sort of into Friday afternoon, all of those features move away to the northeast and it does settle for much of the country then," Bergdolt said.
Southern city offers sandbags
Dunedin City Council said it was taking precautionary measures ahead of heavy rain forecast for the city tomorrow, with between 30mm and 50mm expected.
Council general manager of city services Scott MacLean said the expected rainfall was within the ciy's infrastructure capacity, but preparations were underway in case conditions worsened.
Staff and contractors were checking stormwater systems and clearing drains in high risk-areas, while self-service sandbagging stations were opened at the Dunedin Ice Stadium carpark in Saint Kilda and Mosgiel Memorial Park gym carpark.
"We are also asking any residents who notice a blocked mud tank near their home to clear debris on to the footpath, where it will be picked up by contractors when the weather clears," MacLean added.
The council said the rain was expected to be heaviest early tomorrow morning, with a moderate chance of the heavy rain watch being upgraded to a warning.
Full list of watches and warnings:
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Buller – 14 hours from 8am to 10pm Wednesday
Heavy Rain Watch
Taranaki Maunga – 21 hours from 11am Wednesday to 8am Thursday
Tararua Range – 20 hours from 10am Wednesday to 6am Thursday
Ranges of Westland and Grey districts north of Mount Cook, and Canterbury High Country within 15km east of the Main Divide – 10 hours from 8am to 6pm Wednesday
North Otago, Dunedin and Clutha – 21 hours from 6pm Wednesday to 3pm Thursday
Strong Wind Watch
Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds – 7 hours from 9pm Wednesday to 4am Thursday
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