Rain continues to fall over much of the country this morning.  WeatherWatch.co.nz users have also reported increasing wind.  Katy Coulton in Midhirst calls it “roaring wind”.  Claire Hensley said Aurora was “getting hammered” earlier this morning.

Some locations aren’t even seeing rain, but still look pretty dismal.  Michelle Bath in Queenstown said it was “miserable with super low cloud”.

Heavy rain and strong winds will continue to move across a large part of New Zealand today.  Warnings remain in effect for not only wind and rain, but for snow as well.  Higher elevations of Otago, Canterbury and Marlborough are still expected to see snow settle, possibly as low as 500m.

Here are the latest warnings from government forecaster MetService:

Heavy rain warnings

Westland south of Otira- Another 80 to 120mm or rain in the ranges is expected with lesser amounts in the coastal sections.  Rainfall rates could reach 25-35 mm/hr into early this afternoon.

Buller and northwest Nelson- Periods of heavy rain is expected to continue for the rest of the day and into this evening.  Another 100 to 140mm of rain is expected on the ranges.  Peak rainfall rates of 15-25mm/hr is expected into early this afternoon.

Taranaki and Tararua Range- Periods of heavy rain is expected for the rest of today and into this evening.  Another 100 to 130mm is expected about the higher elevations.  Peak rainfall rates of 10-20mm/hr are expeted.

Central North Island high country or Tongariro National Park, Taumarunui and Taupo- Periods of heavy rain is expected for the rest of the day into tonight.  60 to 80mm is forecast to fall.  Peak rainfall rates are likely to be around 15mm/hr.

Richmond and Bryan Ranges- Periods of heavy rain will likely continue into this evening.  Another 100 to 130mm or rain is expected with peak rates of 15-20mm/hr.

Headwaters of the lakes and rivers of Canterbury- Rain will be switch over to snow early this afternoon.  Snow levels could fall as low as 400m with snow settling at 500m or higher.

Strong wind warnings

South Taranaki, the North Island hill country from Wanganui to Taihape, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne-  North to northwest gales are expected with severe gale gusts of 130 km/hr possible in exposed places from now through this evening.

Eastern Marlborough, Outer Marlborough Sounds, hills of Wellington and Wairarapa-  Northwesterlies are expected with severe gale gusts of 130 km/hr possible into this afternoon.

Banks Peninsula and Kaikoura Coast- Southwest gales are expected to develop this afternoon with severe gale gusts of 120 km/hr possible in exposed areas.

Road snow warnings remain in effect for Lewis Pass, Desert Road, Porters Pass, Lindis Pass and Arthurs Pass.  The heaviest accumulations are expected about Porters Pass where 15 to 25 cm of snow may accumulate near the summit.  10 to 20cm is possible about Arthurs Pass.  5 to 15cm is possible about Lewis Pass above 800 metres.

This low responsible for all this intense weather is still expected to rapidly move off to the east.  Winds will likely remain gusty tomorrow and some rain is still possible about central New Zealand and the eastern North Island.  However, the threat for severe weather will have ended.

WeatherWatch.co.nz