Heavy rain expected
Heavy rain will arrive in the region later this week. Image: Metservice.
Metservice has issued an early watch for heavy rain expected to hit the region from Thursday morning.
A deep low and associated fronts over the Tasman Sea approach the west of New Zealand late Wednesday. The low is forecast to pass to the southwest of the South Island during Thursday and Friday, while its associated fronts move over the country.
The system is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds, with the most significant heavy rain expected to affect northern and western parts of the South Island.
There is a high chance that the local watches will be upgraded to an orange warning on Wednesday morning, the service says.
Heavy rain is expected to arrive in Tasman, northwest of Motueka from 3am Thursday morning, and by 11am will be across Bryant Range and Rai Valley area.
Periods of heavy rain exceeding warning criteria is expected, especially about the Bryant and Richmond Ranges and Rai Valley.
Nelson Lakes is also under a heavy rain watch from 10am Thursday till 8am Friday a slimmer chance of it being upgraded to a warning.
Advanced warning recommends drains and gutters to be cleared and low-lying areas avoided.
“Whether the rain and wind arrive late Wednesday or Thursday, the second half of the week will be the one to watch," says MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane.