Severe weather warning: heavy rain and strong winds to hit the South Island

Heavy rains and strong winds will hit the South Island starting this afternoon.

MetService has issued a severe weather advisory, as severe weather is forecast to shift to the South Island from the southwest this afternoon.

It is expected to bring a significant amount of rain to the west coast and the Alps, and northwestern gales over exposed areas to the south and east.

Up to 140mm of rain could fall on the mountain ranges in Westland north of Otira and places closer to the coast, south of the Franz Josef glacier.

The front will move slowly to the north overnight on Sunday and Monday. Heavy rains should subside south of the Franz Josef Glacier by 7pm Monday.

There is a heavy rain warning for Fiordland, Westland and the headwaters of Otago and Canterbury.

There is also a strong wind advisory for Canterbury High Country, where northwesterly gales are forecast to be severe in exposed areas, with gusts reaching 120 km / h.

A heavy rain watch is in effect for Buller, Southland and Otago, except
North Otago.

Bad weather follows what seems like a start to summer for most of the country today.

The eastern parts of the South Island, especially Canterbury, will feel the heat of a Norwester, with temperatures around 12 ° C above the October average, says MetService forecaster Gerard Bellam.

Garden City is expected to hit 28C, along with Kaikōura, while Timaru and Ashburton can expect 27C, Dunedin 25C, and Blenheim 24C.