Severe weather and a surprise record high in Christchurch as heavy rain lashes South Island

“We’re still expecting some of those strong winds for the Canterbury High Country and Christchurch until 5pm this evening and then as that front pushes further north,” she said.

Strong winds would continue in Marlborough until midnight and until 3am in Wellington.

“Particularly heavy” rains have hit Mt Cook Village, with 19.4mm per hour over the past six hours.

“Normally for us, heavy rain is from 6mm an hour,” she said.

The agency has coloured much of the South Island and lower North Island orange and yellow with weather warnings and watches.

The worst of the rain is forecast for the west of the South Island, where heavy rain warnings are in place for Fiordland, the ranges of Westland and the coastal ranges of Buller and Grey.

Winds are expected to increase north of Cook Strait throughout the day, with strong wind watches in place for Wellington and southern Wairarapa.

No warnings are in place for Auckland, which is mostly fine, with light winds.

Damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures was possible, MetService wrote in its strong wind warning for those in Canterbury’s high country.

Heavy rain and strong wind warnings have been issued for parts of the North and South islands this weekend. Image / MetService

“Driving may [also] be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.”

Grey and Buller districts’ ranges are likewise in for a wet weekend, with up to 130mm of rain forecast to continue into early Sunday morning.

Heavy rain is forecast for parts of the South Island this weekend. Pictured is the rain forecast across the island for 3pm Saturday. Image / MetService

Up to 300mm of rain is expected in the main divide area of Canterbury, with lesser falls further east and in the Otago lakes’ and rivers’ headwaters.

Heavy rain could lead to streams and rivers rising rapidly, with “surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions possible”, MetService said.

Heavy rain watches are also in place for the Tararua Range and the inland ranges of Buller District and Nelson Lakes until early Sunday, with a moderate chance of upgrading to a warning.

Wellington, Wairarapa (south of Carterton), Southland, inland Otago, western Clutha, Marlborough Sounds and the inland ranges of Marlborough are under strong wind watches this weekend.

Showers were expected to develop in the west of the North Island but it was forecast to be mainly fine across the rest of the island, while South Islanders in areas outside the heavy rain-hit west and south could expect scattered falls, MetService said.

On Sunday, rain would spread north in the North Island before easing, the forecasting agency said.

What weather is in store for your weekend?

Whangārei: Fine, with cloud developing this afternoon. Partly cloudy with evening showers on Sunday.Auckland: Mainly fine, a few showers, clearing in the evening on Sunday.Hamilton: Fine today. Showers turning to rain on Sunday.Tauranga: Mainly fine today. A few showers, clearing in the evening on Sunday.Rotorua: Mainly fine with possible cloud developing this afternoon. Cloudy with occasional rain on Sunday.Napier: Mainly fine all weekend, and with warm winter highs of 20C.Palmerston North: Mostly cloudy today, showers, some heavy, easing in the afternoon on Sunday.Wellington: Cloudy, strong northwesterlies and strong northwesterlies dying out in the morning on Sunday.Nelson: Cloudy with occasional rain today, becoming fine on Sunday morning.Christchurch: Scattered rain developing this afternoon with strong northerlies and a high of 21C, switching to mainly fine on Sunday – although with a wind change, the high will plunge to 13C.Dunedin: Occasional rain today, fine on Sunday.Queenstown: Rain clearing this afternoon, fine on Sunday.