Severe weather set to lash central New Zealand

  • 17/08/2017

Weather warnings have been put in place for parts of central New Zealand with heavy rain and strong winds forecast.

MetService says heavy rain is due in the Mt Taranaki area and Tararua Ranges with a burst of heavy rainfall up to 40mm also expected in the Richmond and Byrant Ranges until midday. 

In the South Island, heavy rain has already been falling on the West Coast which is expected to continue through until Thursday night.

Strong wind warnings are also in place for the Canterbury high country, Marlborough and Wellington region.

MetService also says north to northwesterly gales could become severe in Nelson, Horowhenua, Kapiti Coast and southern Wairarapa throughout the day.

The wet weather follows a generous dumping of snow in the mountains in Canterbury.

More than two metres of snow fell on top of Mt Hutt earlier in the week.

Newshub.