Issued by MetService at 8:50pm Monday 25-Mar-2019

Severe weather over central and southern New Zealand, with heavy rain in the west and northwest gales in the east

A strong and moist northwest flow covers the South Island ahead of an active front over the Tasman Sea. This front, preceded by strong to gale northwesterlies, moves over the South Island on Tuesday, bringing significant heavy rain to Fiordland and Westland, including the headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago Lakes and Rivers. A heavy rain warning is in force for these areas. The front should then gradually weaken as it moves over central New Zealand on Wednesday.

A period of heavy rain is also expected ahead of the front in Buller, northern Westland and the north Canterbury headwaters, and a heavy Watch is in force for these areas.

This watch also covers the possibility that northwesterly winds may approach severe gale strength in Fiordland, Southland, Otago, Canterbury (except Canterbury High country which is already in the Warning), Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa south of Featherston.

People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts as parts of this watch may be upgraded to a full warning, and additional areas are added.

Heavy Rain Watch

Area: Buller
Valid: 12 hours from 11:00pm Tuesday to 11:00am Wednesday
Forecast: A period of heavy rain. Rainfall accumulations may approach warning amounts.

Area: Westland from Otira northwards, and the Canterbury headwaters from Arthurs Pass northwards
Valid: 12 hours from 6:00pm Tuesday to 6:00am Wednesday
Forecast: A period of heavy rain. Rainfall accumulations may approach warning amounts.

Strong Wind Watch

Area: Marlborough
Valid: 26 hours from 9:00am Tuesday to 11:00am Wednesday
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places at times.

Area: Wellington and Wairarapa south of Featherston
Valid: 26 hours from 1:00pm Tuesday to 3:00pm Wednesday
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places at times.

Area: Canterbury Plains including Banks Peninsula
Valid: 20 hours from 3:00am to 11:00pm Tuesday
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places at times.

Area: Otago
Valid: 12 hours from 2:00am to 2:00pm Tuesday
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places at times.

Area: Fiordland, Southland and Stewart Island
Valid: 12 hours from 11:00pm Monday to 11:00am Tuesday
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places at times.

This watch will be updated by: 10:00am Tuesday 26-Mar-2019

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