South Island motorists are being urged to "take care in wet conditions" as several watches and warnings remain.
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said there was surface flooding on State Highway 6 between Hokitika and Franz Josef on the West Coast, which prompted an area warning.
"People are urged to take care in the wet conditions and to avoid driving through floodwaters," an NZTA spokesperson said.
This morning MetService issued some watches and warnings as an active front moved northeastward over the South Island today.
The forecaster said 190mm of rain had fallen over the South Westland ranges, 163mm at Franz Josef, and 107mm at Mt Cook Village since midday Sunday.
It said the biggest nor-west wind gust recorded overnight was 131km/h at Sugarloaf in Banks Peninsula, and nearby Le Bons Bay clocked 120km/h.
MetService also said severe northwest gales would be possible about the Canterbury High Country, Wellington and Wairarapa today.
Current watches and warnings
Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Tararua Range – 14 hours starting from 4pm, expiring 6am Tuesday.
Ranges of the Buller District – eight hours expiring at 5pm.
Ranges of the Grey District – five hours expiring at 2pm.
Westland District north of Harihari – four hours expiring at 1pm.
Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers from the Rakaia River to Arthur's Pass – five hours expiring at 2pm.
Strong Wind Watch
Wellington, and Wairarapa south of Masterton – eight hours starting from midday to 8pm.
Canterbury High Country about and north of Mt Hutt – three hours expiring at midday.
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