Areas of the West Coast are in for a bout of heavy rain over the next few days, with warnings in force from Fiordland to Buller.
The West Coast during a storm (file image). Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King;
MetService has heavy rain warnings in place for the coast from Boxing Day to early Tuesday.
"A front, preceded by moist northerlies, is forecast to move onto the lower South Island on Boxing Day then gradually move northeast on Monday," MetService's website says.
"This front is expected to bring periods of heavy rain to the West Coast, and heavy rain warning and watches are now in force for areas from Fiordland about and north of Doubtful Sounds to Buller."
MetService's severe weather outlook said "On Monday, a front is forecast to move northeast across the South Island, then weaken as it moves over the North Island on Tuesday and early Wednesday. The front is preceded by strong northwesterlies and followed by southwesterlies.
"There is high confidence of warning amounts of rain in Westland south of Harihari on Monday."
People should stay up to date with the latest forecasts in case new areas were added to the weather alerts, MetService said.