Break out the umbrellas — parts of Otago and Southland are in for heavy rain today.
An active front is approaching the South Island from the Tasman Sea and will move slowly north, bringing rain to most places.
MetService meteorologist Tui McInnes said a heavy rain warning was in place for the western and southern parts of the South Island and the headwaters of Otago lakes and rivers.
He said there was also likely to be ‘‘exceptionally heavy rainfall’’ in Westland, which could cause flooding and slips.
Rain accumulations might also approach ‘‘warning criteria’’ in eastern parts of Otago during the day.
‘‘Usually you get more scattered rain that falls out from cloud shooting over the Southern Alps.
‘‘This is a weather system — the way it is setting up over the country — that is quite a good one for persistent heavy rain.’’
In the headwaters of Otago lakes and rivers, between 100mm and 150mm of rain was expected to fall between 1am and 1pm today, and up to 25mm an hour could fall at peak times.
Between 70mm and 110mm of rain was expected to fall north of Doubtful Sound up to 10am today. Peak intensities were expected pf 15mm to 20mm an hour.
In Southland, north of Lumsden, 50mm to 80mm of rain is forecast to fall between 3am and 3pm today.
During the same timeframe, rainfall accumulations might reach warning levels in coastal Southland and eastern Otago. An Otago Regional Council spokeswoman said staff were not concerned about flooding in the region from the rain.
Mr McInnes recommended residents stay up to date with the latest forecasts in case new areas were added to the list of rainfall warnings.
