HEAVY RAIN FOR FIORDLAND & SEVERE SOUTHWEST GALES FOR COASTAL SOUTHLAND, CLUTHA AND DUNEDIN
A front moves over the South Island overnight Monday and early Tuesday morning, bringing a period of heavy northwesterly rain to western areas with possible thunderstorms. The heaviest rain is expected about the Westland ranges south of Otira, where total accumulations for this event are likely to reach 100 to 120mm. A second front moving up the South Island on Tuesday is expected to bring another brief period of heavy rain to Fiordland Tuesday morning.
Although this is not an exceptional amount of rain for these areas, people there, especially trampers, should look out for slips and rapidly rising rivers and streams.
In addition, strong to gale northwest winds precede the fronts, while a very strong, cold southwest flow follows the second front later Tuesday and early Wednesday.
Severe southwest gales gusting 120 km/h are expected about coastal parts of Southland, Clutha and Dunedin from Tuesday evening through to Wednesday morning.
Winds of this strength could cause damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures and make driving hazardous, especially for tall sided vehicles and motorcycles.
HEAVY RAIN WARNING
AREA/S AFFECTED
Fiordland
FORECAST
Rain should continue to ease this evening. However, a further period of heavy rain is expected during Tuesday morning, with another 20 to 40mm possible during this time.
FREEZING LEVEL: 1600 metres, lowering to 1200 metres overnight Monday
AREA/S AFFECTED
Coastal parts of Southland, Clutha and Dunedin, especially from Bluff around to the Otago Peninsula
FORECAST
Severe southwest gales with gusts of 120 km/h are expected in exposed places from Tuesday evening through to mid-morning Wednesday.
NEXT SEVERE WEATHER WARNING WILL BE ISSUED AT OR BEFORE 9:00 am Tuesday 13-Jun-2017