Rain and wind to hit South Island this weekend, warnings issued

Author: Lochlan Lineham,
Publish Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026, 4:14pm

Parts of the South Island are set to get wind and heavy rain over the weekend, with surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions possible.

Orange heavy rain warnings will come into effect for western areas of the island from tomorrow evening and last well into Saturday.

Up to 290mm is expected to fall in some areas, with peak rates of 15-25mm/h.

MetService warns that streams and rivers may rise rapidly, while surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions are possible.

It advises residents to clear drains and gutters, avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

A strong wind watch for Southland, inland Otago and western Clutha comes into effect from 9pm tomorrow and lasts until 11am on Saturday.

Watches and warnings have been issued in the South Island. Photo / MetService

MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris told the Herald heavy rain would mostly be on the western coasts.

“If you happen to be travelling up the western side, you’ll have the rain to contend with.

“But if you happen to be travelling up the eastern side, say State Highway 1, you might be seeing more of the northwesterly winds.”

As the rain moves north over the weekend, watches and warnings could be issued for western areas of Tasman, Ferris said.

The rain will reach the lower North Island by Sunday, but will be less severe than in the south.

Eastern areas of the South Island can expect winds and some rain over the weekend.

“With those warm northwesterly winds, we could see temperatures reach up to 20 degrees around Canterbury.”

Temperatures in the region are forecast to peak on Saturday afternoon, Ferris said.

“I know Canterbury’s in a pretty dire situation with not having much rain, and the system looks like they might get some, but it’s not going to be a big game changer.”

Most of the North Island can expect settled weather this weekend until conditions worsen on Sunday.

“We’ll see strengthening northwesterly winds through the Cook Strait, but generally the North Island doesn’t have much to contend with weather-wise on Friday. Even Saturday will be a pretty nice day for most.

“[On Sunday] people will need to be keeping an eye on the weather if they’re trying not to get caught in the rain.”

Rain Warnings

Fiordland will be under an orange heavy rain warning from 7pm on Friday until 2pm on Saturday.

Around 120-150mm of rain is expected, with peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h on Saturday morning.

The ranges of Westland, as well as the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers south of the Hurunui River, are under the same warning until 7pm on Saturday.

Between 160 and 290mm of rain is forecast in those areas.