The record rainfalls experienced across the South Island and rough weather in the North over the past two days should give way to determined sunshine tomorrow according to the MetService.
Orari Bridge near Geraldine. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
While river levels will take time to recede forecasters are predicting the rain will start to ease and clouds clear later today in most of the worst impacted areas.
MetService forecaster Tuporo Marsters said the low developed off the Kaikōura coast yesterday morning and as it moved around it fed a moist southeast low across Canterbury and Otago.
He said a lot more rainfall was expected before lunch time, with 30mm to 50mm in addition to what had already fallen.
"We're expecting another 50mm of rain, that should slowly ease towards midday.
"The moisture from all that low is slowly going to move away, it's not going to move away immediately until perhaps tomorrow.
"We could see the low slowly move towards the Chathams."
Dunedin hardly visible due to constant rain this morning. Photo: RNZ / Ian Telfer
Heavy rain about Dunedin should ease this morning. Snow is likely to about 600m-700m over Central Otago and the MacKenzie Basin.
Canterbury could expect heavy rain to continue, finally easing late afternoon and evening.
Heavy snow is also now predicted for inland Otago later today.
The MetService says Dunedin, Oamaru, Timaru and Ashburton should all have clear, frosty starts to Sunday with highs around 9 degrees.
Christchurch would have some cloud and wind to start but the sun will pop out.
In the North Island, Gisborne and Rotorua could expect heavy rain today but more settled weather tomorrow with sun and 13 and 15 degree highs respectively.
The strong southerly and rain expected to hit Wellington today would ease early on Sunday morning.