Rain watch issued, with ‘more significant heavy rain’ to follow

Tuesday, 8 July 2025

The MetService is keeping an eye on two weather systems due to bring more heavy rain to flood-hit parts of the upper South Island.

A heavy rain watch is in place for Tasman District, northwest of Motueka, for 14 hours from 1pm on Wednesday to 3am on Thursday - with “periods of heavy rain” and amounts that “may approach warning criteria”.

Another period of more significant heavy rain was expected during Friday, with a moderate chance of upgrading to a warning, it said.

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said the heavier bouts of Wednesday’s rain were currently forecast in the Kahurangi ranges.

“At this point, it is looking like that heaviest rain might be just outside of Motueka … west or northwest of Riwaka.

“However, it is still a developing system and we'll be monitoring once it gets closer exactly … where it lies.”

The front was due to move off on Thursday, before a larger weather system moved in on Friday, which looked to be covering a wider area across Nelson and Marlborough, she said.

“Given the wet nature of the ground at the moment, given this weather system that we'll have tomorrow [Wednesday] bringing that rainfall, and then a larger weather system on Friday … I think it is one to keep an eye on.

“Once we are clear of tomorrow's weather system, then we'll start giving a heads up of the areas to keep an eye out for Friday.”

The earliest that rain warnings were issued was normally 48 hours in advance, Makgabutlane said.

She advised people to keep an eye on the severe weather outlook on the MetService website - which looked about five days ahead - which could be found under the warnings heading (next to the warnings & watches tab).

“Just to give kind of an early heads up, and it also includes a likelihood of any warnings being issued.”

A rain radar under the website’s maps & radar heading meanwhile gave an indication where the rain was expected.