A rare "red warning" has been issued for parts of the West Coast, with residents told to brace for heavy rain, flooding, slips and possible thunderstorms. The red warning was prompted by an active front moving across southern and central New Zealand and preceded by heavy rain for western areas. Western ranges of Marlborough: Heavy rain warning, July 16, 4pm-July 17, 10am. Canterbury lakes headwaters & rivers, the Rakaia river northwards: Heavy rain warning, July 15, 11pm - July 17, 4am. Canterbury lakes headwaters & rivers, between Mount Cook, Rakaia river: Heavy rain warning, July 16, 4am - July 17, 1am.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 15, 2021 08:15 UTC