A deep low is set to cross the South Island on Sunday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
Areas south of about Middlemarch, including Dunedin and Invercargill, are likely to be hit by strong southwest winds tomorrow afternoon and evening.
MetService has issued a strong wind watch from 5pm Sunday until midnight, with a moderate chance it will be upgraded to an orange warning.
At this stage, the forecast seems unlikely to affect the Dunedin Santa Parade, which begins at 3pm Sunday.
Fiordland south of Dusky Sound will bear the brunt of the heavy rain throughout Sunday, with about 100-120mm expected to fall between 6am and 9pm.
Further north, ranges of Westland and Tasman will also get a soaking, beginning late morning through to early evening.
A similar story is likely in the headwaters of Canterbury lakes and rivers, where the rain may be accompanied by northwest gales in exposed places.
- Allied Media
