Weather: Heavy rain, strong winds forecast to pass across South Island, Auckland in firing line

• The wet and windy weather is forecast to return to New Zealand on Thursday.
• MetService has issued heavy rain warnings and strong wind watches for the southwest of the South Island.
• Forecasters also predict the wet weather could move onto the North Island on Friday.

The severe weather is forecast to return with a bang when wet and windy conditions pass across New Zealand this week.

MetService has issued a heavy rain warning for Fiordland, north of Doubtful Sound from 10pm tomorrow until 8pm Thursday.

“Expect 150 to 180 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h Thursday afternoon and evening with thunderstorms possible,” MetService said on it’s website.

Today’s weather is on the quieter side - but a change is on the way from late Wed to Fri

Wet weather is set to move onto the western South Island, with northerly winds picking up

Orange Heavy Rain Warnings and Strong Wind Watches are in place, with more areas likely to follow pic.twitter.com/UGBzWkGwKo

— MetService (@MetService) May 5, 2025

“Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions are possible.”

A heavy rain warning has also been issued for Westland from midnight tomorrow until 3am Friday.

“Expect 200 to 250mm of rain. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h from midday Thursday onwards, with thunderstorms possible.”

MetService forecaster Stephen Glassey told the Herald a front was approaching the South Island tomorrow.

“We’ve got strengthening north-west winds ahead of that front,” he said.

MetService has also issued a strong wind watch for Fiordland and Southland, Canterbury High Country and Queenstown Lakes District, Central Otago and Clutha from early Thursday morning until late afternoon.

Glassey said there was a chance the heavy rain could move onto the North Island on Friday.

“There could potentially be some watches and warnings issued as we get closer.”

Glassey said there was a high potential the upper North Island could see a heavy burst of rain.

He said south-western parts of the North Island could also be hit by the bad weather.