Lightning strikes over South Island as rain drenches coast

Heavy rain is forecast in the Westland region until Thursday evening. Photo / MetService

Almost 2000 lightning strikes hit the South Island overnight as downpours batter parts of the West Coast.

MetService has recorded 1970 lightning strikes over the South Island since late Wednesday night.

Orange heavy rain warnings covered Westland and the headwaters of Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers until Thursday evening, and Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound to 7am.

The forecaster lifted a severe thunderstorm watch for Westland and part of Fiordland.

The Westland region was forecast to have up to 240mm of rain in the ranges by this evening, with 100mm-140mm expected near the coast and localised downpours of up to 45mm an hour during thunderstorms.

The latest 24h rain accumulations show numbers in excess of 100mm over the mountains of Westland & 50-80mm over coastal stations... and there is still more to come as the active front delivering this heavy rain moves north over the area today

More at 👉 https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5 pic.twitter.com/5jzXqZWxzp

— MetService (@MetService) March 8, 2023

West Coast Civil Defence emergency management group controller Te Arohanui Cook told Morning Report surface flooding was likely on the roads, and slips may be brought down later in the day. By early morning there had been no river level warnings, she said.

Thunderstorms were bringing localised bursts of heavy rain rather than continuous downpours in one spot.

“In Hokitika we’re going from light rain to short heavy showers but we are aware that they had heavier falls in South Westland from Hari Hari down to Haast.”

Thunderstorms were mostly off the coast but had the potential to come back on to land.

With the weather due to clear before the weekend, Cook said, the Wildfoods Festival at Hokitika was still on track.

MetService said thunderstorms should ease in Fiordland around dawn, but continue in Westland until late afternoon or evening.