MetService has issued a severe weather warning for Westland,
Buller, Nelson, Canterbury, Fiordland and Wellington.
A strong, moist north to northwesterly flow is bringing heavy
rain to the west coast and is expected to move north today to
reach the ranges of northwest Nelson this evening.
The largest accumulations are expected in the ranges from
Westland to northwest Nelson, where a further 80 to 90mm of
rain could fall with some spill over into the headwaters of
the lakes and rivers of Canterbury.
MetService is warning that rivers and streams may rise
rapidly.
Northwesterlies with severe gales gusts of 120 kmh are
expected in exposed parts of Wellington until midnight
tonight. Winds of this strength may cause damage to
powerlines, insecure structures and make driving hazardous.
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