Warnings loom as severe weather tracks toward West Coast

MetService has issued orange heavy rain warnings for parts of the South Island as a severe weather system tracks toward New Zealand’s West Coast.

The warnings cover Westland District, Buller District, Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound and Tasman District northwest of Motueka. MetService also warned that thunderstorms are possible in some areas.

The agency said streams and rivers may rise rapidly, with surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions possible. A second weather system is expected to follow later in the week after a brief lull.

The warnings come as a two-front pattern brings a wetter week to the country, with the first front expected to move along the South Island west coast from Wednesday into Thursday.

The immediate question is how much rain actually falls and whether the system triggers road closures, flooding or other disruptions in the warned areas. For now, residents in the affected districts are being urged to prepare for rapidly changing conditions.