The MetService earlier warned Kiwis that drivers in some parts of the country could face bursts of “intense” winds and rain as a weather system crosses.
Meanwhile thunderstorms that bring a threat of small tornadoes have also been forecasted to rattle the top of the North Island as central regions brace for powerful 140 km/h gales and heavy rain.
Eighteen wind, rain and swell watches and warnings are in place as a slow-moving front lies over the northwest of the South Island, with a rapidly deepening low inbound from the Tasman Sea,MetService said.
The low is expected to cross the South Island between this afternoon and tomorrow morning, with connected fronts sweeping across the North Island.
Floodwaters in Jones Creek on the west coast of the South Island. Photo / Brett Partel
Flooding and power outages begin
Nelson City Council said the area was already being affected by the wild weather, with power outages and flooded roads reported.
The council said there was surface flooding between Nelson and Renwick, near Blenheim.
Network Tasman said a fallen tree has taken out powerlines that feed a section of Wakapuaka Rd, Cable Bay, Teal Valley and Kokoroa, leaving the area without power.
The Marlborough District Council also reported flooding after last night’s heavy rain.
Kaiuma Bay Rd was closed at Daltons Bridge because of flooding, and the council said crews were inspecting the Havelock end of the road.
MetService warns winds could gust up to 100km/h, along with small tornadoes. Photo / MetService
Electrical storms are brewing in the Tasman Sea with western parts of the country, including Auckland, in the firing line later today. MetService warns winds could gust up to 100km/h along with small tornadoes.
Meanwhile, Tasman District, Buller and Grey districts, Nelson Lakes National Park and the ranges of Nelson and Marlborough, between Nelson city and the Awatere River, are under heavy rain warnings until this evening, with thunderstorms possible. The highest rain totals are expected in Tasman District, where up to 300mm could fall in the ranges.
“Surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions [are] possible,” MetService said for areas under rain warnings.
🟧Updated Severe Weather: Heavy Rain and Strong Winds🟧
🌧️Round 2 for Westland tomorrow, while things continue on for the upper South Island.
💨Winds join the Severe Weather Party tomorrow as well!
Check out the details here: https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5 pic.twitter.com/FDznhQM8R8
— MetService NZ (@MetService) May 7, 2026
Severe gales gusting up to 130km/h have also sparked wind warnings for Wellington until early tomorrow morning, and until 10pm today in Taranaki.
Marlborough, southeast of the Awatere River, and the Canterbury high country were also under a warning for severe gales, which could reach 140km/h in Marlborough and Canterbury north of the Rangitata River, and 120km/h elsewhere in the region’s high country.
“Damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures [is] possible.”
A heavy swell warning has been issued for Kāpiti-Porirua Coast – Kāpiti Island to Cape Terawhiti from 9pm to 7am tomorrow, with northwest combined waves rising to 4 to 4.5m.
Heavy rain watches are also in place for Taranaki Maunga, the Southland mainland and the headwaters of Otago lakes and rivers, with strong wind watches for Taihape, inland Whanganui and the top and west of the South Island from this afternoon.
Strong wind watches have been issued for Christchurch and Canterbury Plains north of the Rakaia River, as well as Wairarapa and Tararua District, from this evening.
Amid the gloom, one district was expected to enjoy a short respite this morning, MetService meteorologist Katie Lyons said.
“Westland will still be in this lull between the systems, but north of Westland it’s just one continuous event.”
Despite a break in the rain, the district’s ranges were still expected to receive up to 600mm of rain since the wet weather began, Lyons said.
“If anywhere in the country were ready to take it, it’s Westland, but it’s still a huge amount. Further north, we’re looking at up to about 350 millimetres of rain for the Buller … Tasman, Nelson/Richmond ranges area.”
And while the first of the two lows walloping central and southern parts brings rain, the second would bring wind.
“[The] strong wind warnings for the Canterbury high country … Marlborough, southeast of the Awatere Range, that’s just as these really strong northwesterlies go up and accelerate down the other side of the ranges.”
A cold change is on the way after this week’s wet and windy weather, which could be good news ahead of the ski season. Photo / Mt Hutt/Cardrona Alpine Resort
However, the heavy rain and strong winds would be short-lived, she said.
“It’ll be getting wetter into [today], maybe a bit wet [tomorrow], and then back to sort of stock standard showers.”
But it won’t be shorts and jandals weather – a cold southwesterly change could mean snow for some.
“Temperatures will drop and we’ll be starting to talk about snow to some low levels for the South Island, down to about maybe 500m. That’ll affect [alpine] passes throughout there as well.
“So it’ll be a completely different story towards the end of the weekend.”