Source: Radio New Zealand
MetService says there is a moderate chance of Southland’s heavy rain watch being upgraded to a warning. UnSplash/ Nechama Lock
Downpours are set to strike the lower South Island, with Fiordland and Southland both under heavy rain watches.
MetService warned that the rainfall could approach warning criteria.
It said there was a moderate chance of Southland’s watch being upgraded to a warning.
The watches are in place from 9am on Sunday, with Fiordland about and north of Dusky Sound’s watch ending at 9pm.
Southland is under a heavy rain watch until 7pm.
️Heavy Rain Watches for Far South ️
A front moves up, slow at first, allowing accumulations to climb a bit in the far south, hence the Heavy Rain Watches. The front then speeds up as it moves northward over the rest of the South Island on Sunday.
We can see the North… pic.twitter.com/D5VmRs2Vl8
— MetService NZ (@MetService) March 7, 2026
Scorching temperatures for South’s east coast
Much of the South Island’s east coast, however, is set for a scorching Sunday, with temperatures almost reaching 30C.
MetService said northwesterly winds and sunny conditions ahead of a cold front were driving the hot temperatures.
It said Blenheim was expected to reach 29C, while Christchurch is forecast to hit 28C. Timaru is also expected to hit 25C, while Ashburton could expect to reach 27C.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand