More torrential rain is on the way for waterlogged Queenstown with up to 300mm of rain predicted to fall in some parts of the Southern Alps over the next couple of days.

Weather Analyst Philip Duncan says a slow moving rain band in the Tasman Sea coupled with a large blocking high to the north east means rainfall amounts could be very high.  “We’re starting to see the winter storms inching further north and with the lingering highs in the north the fronts can’t quickly move through”.

Mr Duncan says the heavy rain could create more worries for low lying businesses in Queenstown.  “It’s not panic stations just yet but this heavy rain, on top of an already high lake level, is cause for concern”.

MetService says heavy rain will spread in to Fiordland, Westland and the headwaters of the Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers during Friday and Saturday. 

“A heavy rainfall warning is now in place for Fiordland and Westland between Milford Sound and Otira and for the headwaters of the Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers between the Makarora River and Waimakariri River” says MetService.

“There is also likely to be a brief period of heavy rain during Friday morning in Fiordland south of Milford Sound and for the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers south of the Makarora River. This area includes the headwaters of Lake Wakatipu”.

See all weather warnings here