It is likely to be more than a week before things are back to normal in Queenstown.

But the threat of serious flooding seems less imminent, with the water level in Lake Wakatipu down 2.5 centimetres yesterday. Queenstown Lakes mayor Clive Geddes says the water is likely to rise again slightly, but should have settled by late this afternoon.

It should start dropping away early next week, so long as no further heavy rain keeps levels up or rising.

Clive Geddes says another problem over the next week or so is the risk strong winds will whip up waves on the lake, and there will be damage from those. He says the council is advising people to leave their flood protection in place or very handy.

MetService says a cold front is expected to rapidly cross the South Island during tomorrow, preceded by a strong and moist northwest flow.

“This front is expected to bring a quick burst of heavy rain to Fiordland on Monday morning. Amounts will not be high, but the rain is likely to fall in a sufficiently short time to warrant a warning” says MetService.

“There is a low risk that a warning will also be required for the Westland ranges south of the Glaciers, and for spillover across the divide into the Otago lakes and rivers”.

MetService says the next burst of heavy rain in the west of the South Island will then be on Friday.
 

– With NewstalkZB.co.nz