Several fronts moving up the country were causing heavy rain and thunderstorms in parts of the South Island on Saturday morning. Severe weather warnings for heavy rain were in also in place for Westland, between Fox Glacier and Haast, until 11am and north of Fox Glacier until 2pm today. According to MetService, up to 150mm of rain was expected to accumulate north of Fox Glacier, with peak rates of between 20 and 35mm per hour this morning. Up to 100mm of rain was set to accumulate by 11am between Fox Glacier and Haast. There was also a heavy rain watch for Buller and the headwaters of Canterbury Rivers and Lakes through to this afternoon.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 16, 2018 20:03 UTC