More wild weather is bearing down on New Zealand, with gales, heavy rain and cold southerlies in the South and hundreds of lightning strikes on the West Coast.
About 30,000 lightning strikes have hit land sea around New Zealand since Sunday night due to severe weather.
Heavy rain fell in Dunedin and Oamaru from early this evening, bringing with it a cold southerly that was expected to make its way north and hit Christchurch about 8pm. A wind warning had been issued for that city and Banks Peninsula.
Meteorologist Emma Blades said rain was continuing in Buller on the West Coast tonight. A strong northwest flow would also bring heavy rain to western parts of the lower North Island.
A chilly Tuesday morning behind today's southwest change: https://t.co/Yjbq0jxdqz ^CL pic.twitter.com/jjXf4jTL6C
— MetService (@MetService) May 16, 2016
MetService this morning issued a weather watch for southern areas, saying south to southwest gales could become severe in Dunedin, Clutha and Southland from the afternoon.
Meteorologist Tom Adams said there had been 1700 lightning strikes on the west coast of the country from about 5pm, many of which struck around the Nelson area.
"It was definitely visible from the city. In terms of the severity, it is a bit early to know because it has only just gone through to know if there are any reports of localised flooding but ... there were definitely some short sharp rainfall numbers."
Mr Adams said the bad weather was also forecast for Wellington tonight, but was not expected to be as bad as first thought.
Travellers heading to the capital today by plane had been warned flights could be disrupted. Air New Zealand said strong wind lashing the region may affect flights and passengers should check arrivals and departures.
Wild weather in Greymouth, Jess Pullen sent this saying they're getting "hammered with rain, hail, wind + lightning" pic.twitter.com/EMm2keoGsK
— MetService (@MetService) May 15, 2016
Mr Adams said the bands of heavy rain and heavy wind gusts seen around the West Coast and Wellington were forecast to make a repeat appearance over the next seven days.
The thunderstorms would be spreading north over Buller, northwest Nelson, Horowhenua, Kapiti Coast, Taranaki and western parts of Waitomo and Waikato from this afternoon.
The rain was forecast to be the stormiest today, Wednesday and Friday, and in between it would be calmer, though not completely dry.
Mr Adams said it was important for those out and about to be aware as the bad weather would cause already high rivers and streams to rise rapidly and could cause slips and surface flooding around parts of the country.
"This makes it really important to check the forecast and warnings before planning gigs or other activities," he said.
Cooler temperatures were also expected as a cold blast was due to set in late tomorrow.
"Gale-force winds will also whistle across the Canterbury Plains, Wairarapa and through Cook Strait and there should be some fresh snow on the tops of the southern peaks."
