Multiple warnings and watches have been issued with heavy rain and strong winds forecast to lash most of the South Island and the lower North Island on Wednesday into Thursday.
MetService said a front preceded by a “humid” northwest flow would move across the country from late Tuesday until Thursday.
Several orange-level heavy rain warnings have been issued for the South Island.
Up to 200mm of rain is expected in the ranges of Westland and the headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers, with peak intensities reaching 35 mm/h.
Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound was also under a warning, with up to 140mm of rain forecast.
The risk of flooding, slips, and hazardous driving conditions was high, especially near rivers and alpine passes.
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Orange strong wind warnings were also in place for Wellington and the Canterbury High Country, where northwesterly gusts could reach 120 to 130 km/h in exposed areas.
These winds may damage trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures, and pose risks to high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Heavy rain watches were in place for parts of Fiordland, Grey and Buller Districts, northwest Tasman, and the Tararua Ranges, with rainfall possibly reaching warning levels.
Strong wind watches covered Wairarapa, Marlborough, Christchurch, inland Southland and Otago, with gusts potentially reaching severe gale strength in exposed areas.
MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley told 1News the country was in that “classic, unsettled” spring period.
“We’re expecting some strong winds mainly for that Canterbury High Country, and also for Wellington where we’ve issued the orange warnings.
“It’ll be bringing a whole lot of moisture into that western region, so that’s why we’ve issued the heavy rain warnings.”
By Friday, New Zealand could expect a “slight reprieve” from the weather, he said.
“There’s a small ridge that we see building up before that next feature.”
Full list of weather warnings and watches
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
The ranges of Westland – 17 hours from 5am to 10pm Wednesday
Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Lake Marion – 15 hours from 7am to 10pm Wednesday
Headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers – 13 hours from 3am to 4pm Wednesday
Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound – 13 hours from 1am to 2pm Wednesday
Strong Wind Warning – Orange
Wellington – 12 hours from 6pm Wednesday to 6am Thursday
Canterbury High Country – 21 hours from 1am to 10pm Wednesday
Heavy Rain Watch
The ranges of Grey and Buller Districts, also northwest Tasman – 9 hours from 7pm Wednesday to 4am Thursday
Fiordland from Doubtful Sound southwards – 10 hours from 1am to 11am Wednesday
The Tararua Ranges – 6 hours from 2am to 8am Thursday
Strong Wind Watch
Wairarapa and the Tararua District – 16 hours from 8pm Wednesday to noon Thursday
Marlborough southeast of the Wairau River and the Sounds – 13 hours from 4pm Wednesday to 5am Thursday
Christchurch and Canterbury Plains – 21 hours from 1am to 10pm Wednesday
Inland parts of Southland and Otago – 17 hours from 7pm Tuesday to noon Wednesday
