The peak of the West Coast deluge forecast to bring up to 700mm of rain by the end of Tuesday is yet to come. Rain has been falling all day on the Coast, with the predicted heavy falls likely to become even more widespread overnight on Monday and on Tuesday morning. MetService senior communications meteorologist Lisa Murray told Stuff the quantity of rain expected to fall on the western slopes of the Alps by the end of Tuesday was "significant even by West Coast standards". "The front gradually moves up the South Island on Wednesday, reaching around Nelson by early afternoon," MetService meteorologist Andy Best said. LORNA THORNBER Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown.

Source: Stuff March 25, 2019 08:37 UTC