Warnings

METSERVICE ISSUES ORANGE HEAVY RAIN WARNING FOR HEADWATERS OF OTAGO & CANTERBURY LAKES AND RIVERS

Alert opened: 27 Aug 2026

MetService Severe Weather Warning
Issued at 9:59am Thu 27 Aug 2026

Significant heavy rain and snow for parts of the South Island, gales for central New Zealand
A complex low and a frontal system lie slow moving over the South Island, bringing a prolonged period of heavy rain and also heavy snow about some inland parts of Canterbury and Otago. The front moves northwards overnight tonight, spreading the heavy rain northwards. Gales are expected to affect some parts of central New Zealand during Friday. Warnings and Watches are in force. Please stay up to date with forecasts.

Heavy Rain Warning - Orange

Area: Headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers
Period: 12 hours from 2:00pm Thu 27 Aug to 2:00am Fri 28 Aug
Forecast: Expect 100 to 150 mm of rain about the main divide, and 70 to 100 mm within 20 km farther east, possibly more in localised areas. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected this afternoon and evening about the divide. Freezing level 1500 metres rising to 2200 metres this evening.
Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Area: Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur's Pass
Period: 21 hours from 3:00pm Thu 27 Aug to 12:00pm Fri 28 Aug
Forecast: Expect 140 to 180 mm of rain about the main divide, and 100 to 140 mm within 20 km farther east, possibly more in localised areas. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h expected Friday morning about the divide. Freezing level 2200 metres.
Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

Affected districts

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Radio stations in your area

  • Central Otago

    Maniototo Burn - 92.3 FM/729 AM

    More FM - 90.3 FM / 94.3 FM

    RNZ National - 101.5 FM/639 AM

    Newstalk ZB -  89.6 FM /  95.1 FM / 90.6 FM 

    Radio Central - 91.9 FM (Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell), 94.3FM (Teviot Valley), 104.3 FM (Maniototo)

    Radio Live - 95.9 FM

    Radio Wanaka - 92.2 FM

    The Hits - 99.9 FM

  • Clutha

    More FM - 93.7 FM (South Otago from Clinton), 92.9 FM (Balclutha),

    107.1 FM (from Lawrence). 

    Hokonui - 94.8 FM (Southland), 91.3 FM & 88.3 FM (South Otago), 

    95.2FM (West Otago)

    RNZ National - 101.4 FM / 810 AM  

  • Dunedin City

    Radio Dunedin - 1305 AM, 95.4 & 106.7FM

    More FM - 97.4 FM

    The Hits - 89.4 FM

    The Breeze - 98.2 FM

    Magic Talk - 96.6 FM

    Newstalk ZB - 1044 AM

    RNZ National - 101.4 FM

    RNZ National - 810 AM

    OAR FM - 105.4 FM, 1575 AM

     

  • Queenstown Lakes

    Queenstown Lakes - Queenstown

    More FM - 92 FM

    The Hits - 90.4 FM

    Newstalk ZB - 89.6 FM

    RNZ National - 101.6 FM/1134 AM

    Queenstown Lakes - Wanaka

    Radio Wanaka - 92.2 FM

    More FM - 99.4 FM

    The Hits - 96.2 FM

    RNZ - 101.0 FM

    Newstalk ZB 90.6 FM

     

  • Waitaki

    More FM - 100 FM

    RNZ National - 101.4 FM & 810 AM

    Newstalk ZB - 1395 AM

    Oamaru Heritage Radio - 88.3 & 107 FM

    Real- 104FM

    The Hits - 98.4 FM

    Oamaru FM - 91.2FM

    The Breeze- 97.6 FM

    Puketapu Radio - 756 AM