Severe weather warning for south

Heavy rain and severe gales are expected to sweep over the country tomorrow, with forecasters issuing a severe weather warning and advising people to keep an eye on the weather.

Rain and thunderstorms are due to hit Westland and Fiordland tomorrow, reaching the headwaters of the lakes and rivers in Canterbury and Otago. Severe northwest gales were also likely in Otago and Canterbury, and a severe weather warning was in place for those areas, MetService said.

In the North Island, northwest winds were expected to reach gale force in Marlborough, Wellington and southern Wairarapa tomorrow, accompanied by a burst of heavy rain tomorrow night as the front passes over.

- NZPA