More rain for holidaymakers

Much of the country will be pounded by heavy rain today, with Westland and Canterbury expected to bear the brunt of it.

MetService has this morning issued a severe weather warning for Westland and the Canterbury headwaters, forecasting bursts of heavy rain with strong north-west winds.

MetService said heavy rain had already fallen in ranges of Westland and about the Canterbury headwaters, and with further bursts of heavy rain forecast for the area, MetService said people in the area, especially trampers, should watch for rising or already swollen rivers and streams.

Meanwhile, MetService has issued a severe weather watch for Northland, Auckland, the Bay of Plenty, Nelson, Buller, and Fiordland.

Heavy rain, with possible thundery falls, was expected to bash Fiordland, Buller and north-west Nelson today.

Rain should ease in Fiordland about midday, and in Buller and north-west Nelson in the evening.

For Northland and Auckland, a burst of heavy and possibly thundery rain was expected this morning and for eastern Bay of Plenty, a period of rain was expected this afternoon and evening.