Photo: MetService
Sand bags are being provided in Dunedin as orange level heavy rain and strong wind warnings and watches are plastered across much of the South Island.
MetService had issued 21 weather warnings and watches, most of which were for the South Island
Southern Police advised people in Otago and Southern Districts to avoid any unnecessary travel and if possible, stay indoors.
A forecast high tide at 4am was expected to coincide with heavy rain overnight in Dunedin, causing worry about flooding for low-lying areas, with the city council providing sand bags today, which were snapped up.
Dunedin city council controller Sandy Graham said a welfare centre has been opened at Catholic Social Services on MacAndrew Road for anyone feeling unsafe or anxious.
Heavy rain was forecast for Westland, Fiordland, Dunedin, parts of Canterbury, Southland and Clutha.
And high winds were set to buffet coastal Wellington, Wairarapa, Marlborough, Banks Peninsula and the Canterbury High Country.
Thunderstorms were also possible for much of the South Island until midday Tuesday, as well as for parts of Taranaki, Manawatū and the Wellington Region.
Torrential rain could cause surface and flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous, the weather agency warned.
While very strong wind gusts could break branches from trees, damage roofing, and make driving hazardous especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Heavy rain
An orange level heavy rain warning was placed for parts of central and southern New Zealand through to Wednesday morning.
The rain could cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly, and cause surface flooding and slips.
On Monday evening MetService said the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur's Pass could expect 110 to 160 mm of rain on the main divide, and 70 to 110 mm within 15km east of the divide, through to midnight Monday.
Parts of Westland could expect heavy rain until 7am Tuesday, with up to 260mm of rain expected to accumulate about the ranges, and up to 120mm near the coast. Peak rainfall rates could reach up to 40 mm/h, especially about the ranges.
From Monday morning to Tuesday morning, Southland and Clutha could expect up to 90mm of rain, with peak rainfall rates of up to 25mm/h. The largest accumulations and hourly rainfall rates were most likely to occur about and north of a line from Balclutha to Nightcaps, MetService said.
From 11pm Monday through to 11am Tuesday Dunedin could expect up to 90mm of rain, with peak rainfall rates up to 20mm/h.
On Monday evening, MetService said Fiordland could expect up to 120mm of rain, through to Tuesday morning, on top of what had already fallen. Peak rainfall rates could reach up to 25mm/h.
Thunderstorms were possible in all areas other than Dunedin, MetService forecasted.
Dunedin welfare centre
A welfare centre will be open for Dunedin residents overnight, as severe weather bears down on the city.
Council chief executive Sandy Graham said sandbags were snapped up from the council's South Dunedin hub, and there was some demand in Mosgiel.
The welfare centre at Catholic Social Services in MacAndrew Rd was open for anyone feeling unsafe, or even just wanting company and a cup of tea, she said.
Strong winds
An orange level strong wind warning was issued for Wellington and Wairarapa south of Masterton until 8am Tuesday, Malborough and Canterbury High Country until 6am Tuesday and Banks Peninsula from noon Tuesday through to 9am Wednesday.
Gusts were forecast to reach up to 120km/hr in all places.