Severe weather warning near West Coast - heavy rain

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

An active front is forecast to move slowly north over the South Island during Thursday and Friday, bringing heavy rain to parts of central and southern New Zealand.

This is expected to be an exceptionally heavy rainfall event for Westland with flooding and slips likely.

Area: Ranges of Buller and western Nelson including Nelson Lakes
Valid: 24 hours from 10:00am Thursday to 10:00am Friday
Forecast: Expect 90 to 140mm of rain to accumulate. Peak intensities of 15 to 25mm per hour especially overnight Thursday and Friday morning.

Area: Westland north of Otira
Valid: 16 hours from 9:00am Thursday to 1:00am Friday
Forecast: Expect a further 120 to 150mm of rain to accumulate about the ranges and 60 to 90mm elsewhere on top of what has already fallen. Peak intensities of 15 to 25mm per hour especially about the ranges. Thunderstorms possible.

Area: Westland south of Otira
Valid: 9 hours from 9:00am to 6:00pm Thursday
Forecast: Significant heavy rainfall and flooding likely. Expect a further 200 to 250mm of rain to accumulate about the ranges and 80 to 100mm elsewhere on top of what has already fallen. Peak intensities of 30 to 40mm per hour in thunderstorms this morning and early afternoon.