While the south end of New Zealand appears to be avoiding much of the wild weather that has devastated the North Island, MetService says we will not be getting off scot free.
Meteorologist Silvia Martino said wet and windy weather was headed for Otago and Southland today, and was expected to hang around for the entire weekend.
The forecaster has this morning issued a heavy rain watch and a strong wind watch for parts of both provinces.
The heavy rain watch covers Dunedin, Clutha, Central Otago south of Alexandra, and Southland, for 30 hours from 9am tomorrow to 3pm on Sunday.
The strong wind watch covers coastal Otago and Southland from Waikouati to Bluff, and Stewart Island, for nine hours from 9pm tomorrow to 6am on Sunday.
MetService said southwest winds could approach severe gale in exposed coastal places.
Martino earlier said residents should prepare for yet more wild weather, in what has been a turbulent summer for much of the country
Overnight Saturday, temperatures were expected to drop and snow may fall at higher levels around the southern regions, she said.
The forecast was the same for Sunday, she said.
"It is a good weekend to keep an eye on any updates to the forecast; and now while the weather is that little bit less dramatic, is a good time to get out, clear the gutters, and tie down anything that’s going to blow away, because even if it’s not warning level, there will be some pretty unpleasant weather."
She said the weather was expected to ease later on Sunday.
