MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the lower South Island this afternoon. The forecaster said the combination of a warm, humid afternoon and light winds was expected to produce scattered thunderstorms about inland South Canterbury (south of about Twizel), inland eastern Otago, Southland and southern Fiordland. MetService said the watch affected people in North Otago, Central Otago, Dunedin, Clutha, Southland, Fiordland and the Canterbury High Country until 9pm. Between about 2pm and 9pm, a few of these thunderstorms could be severe, with localised downpours of 20-40mm per hour. Earlier, a heavy rain warning was issued for the Westland ranges south of Otira from today until Saturday morning, before easing.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 01, 2018 21:44 UTC