Warning of flooding as heavy rain falls

Heavy rain is drenching parts of the South Island this morning, with MetService saying surface flooding and slips are possible.

MetService has issued a severe weather warning for northern Fiordland, Westland, the Otago headwaters and northwest Nelson.

A front just west of New Zealand is moving up slowly up the West Coast of the South Island today. It is preceded by a moist north to northeast flow, bringing rain with heavy falls to the west and north of the South Island.

Up to 150mm of rain could accumulate in Westland until this afternoon, while up to 130mm is expected in the ranges of northwest Nelson.

MetService advised people in those areas that rivers may rise rapidly and surface flooding and slips were possible.

Meanwhile, a severe weather watch is in place for headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers, ranges of Westland, Buller, Richmond and Bryant.

Heavy rain in the northern and eastern hills of Northland is also possible on Thursday or Friday as a low deepens near northern New Zealand.

In the North Island, it is mostly fine this morning, however rain is expected in Kapiti, Wellington and southern Wairarapa later in the day.

Cloudy periods and isolated showers, mainly in the north and east, is forecast for Northland to Taranaki, Taupo and the Bay of Plenty.

In the South Island, rain is expected near the alps and western Marlborough with scattered falls, possibly thundery with hail around South Canterbury.

- © Fairfax NZ News