Rain, gales ease

MetService this morning lifted its strong wind warnings for Fiordland, Southland and Stewart Island.

The forecasters say the very deep low over Southland is moving east. The associated front should cross the lower North Island this morning and the upper North Island this afternoon.

“Heavy rain over western South Island areas has eased and the warnings there are lifted. Heavy rain about the Tararua range should ease later this morning,” they say.

“Severe gales have eased over Marlborough, Fiordland, Southland and Stewart Island and are expected to ease over Wellington, Wairarapa and Canterbury this morning. Severe southwest gales are expected to develop this morning about coastal Otago then ease this afternoon. Winds of this strength can bring down trees and powerlines, damage unsecured structures, lift roofs and make travel hazardous.”