Heavy Rain and Severe Gales for Parts of Coastal Southland, Fiordland

An active cold front near Fiordland is expected to move northeast across southern and central New Zealand today (Tuesday). The front is preceded by strong and moist northwesterlies, then followed by an unstable west to southwest flow.

Heavy Rain Warnings remain in force for Fiordland, Westland and the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers, and Heavy Rain Watches remain in force for the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers, Buller, the western ranges of Nelson, the Tararua Range and Mount Taranaki, and now including coastal Southland.

In addition, Strong Wind Warnings remain in force for the Canterbury High Country, Marlborough, Wellington, Wairarapa, while Strong Wind Watches remain in force for Fiordland, western parts of Southland and inland Otago. Strong Wind Warning for Tararua District and Central Hawkes Bay has been downgraded to watch.

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Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.

Area: Fiordland
Valid: 13 hours from 9:00am to 10:00pm Tuesday
Forecast: Expect a further 60 to 90mm of rain to accumulate. Peak rates of 10 to 20mm/h, with isolated thunderstorms. Freezing level about 2000 metres lowering to 1300 metres this evening.

Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Area: The headwaters of Otago lakes and rivers
Valid: 14 hours from 9:00am to 11:00pm Tuesday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and thunderstorms possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria within 15km east of the main divide. Freezing level about 2400 metres this morning, gradually lowering to 1400 metres this evening (Tuesday).

Area: Coastal Southland
Valid: 20 hours from 7:00am Wednesday to 3:00am Thursday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach reduced warning criteria.

Area: Southern Lakes, Central Otago and inland Dunedin
Valid: 13 hours from 9:00am to 10:00pm Tuesday
Forecast: Northwesterly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places at times.

Area: Fiordland, Southland west of Invercargill
Valid: 11 hours from 9:00am to 8:00pm Tuesday
Forecast: Northwesterly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places at times. Please note, a period of strong to gale southwesterlies are expected during Wednesday.

Source: metservice.com