While the south end of New Zealand appears to be avoiding much of the wild weather that has devastated the North Island, MetService says we will not be getting off scot free. Meteorologist Silvia Martino said wet and windy weather was headed for Otago and Southland today, and was expected to hang around for the entire weekend. The forecaster has this morning issued a heavy rain watch and a strong wind watch for parts of both provinces. The heavy rain watch covers Dunedin, Clutha, Central Otago south of Alexandra, and Southland, for 30 hours from 9am tomorrow to 3pm on Sunday. The strong wind watch covers coastal Otago and Southland from Waikouati to Bluff, and Stewart Island, for nine hours from 9pm tomorrow to 6am on Sunday.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 22, 2026 21:21 UTC