By 3 News online staff
Heavy rain around the country is causing road closures and slips and flooding are expected later in the week.
Metservice issued a severe weather warning for Marlborough, Canterbury and North Otago this morning and some areas are already feeling the consequences.
Timaru District Council is urging people in the area to avoid unnecessary travel because of numerous roads with surface flooding.
At least 10 roads are partially closed including Kellands Hill Road, Washdyke Flat Road, Laughton Steret, Rosewill Valley Road, Cartwrights Road, Spur Hutt Road, Seven Sisters Road Bridge, Langridge Road and Centennial Park Road.
Metservice also issued a severe thunderstorm outlook for the North Island this morning, saying there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms in areas including Taranaki to Northland this afternoon and early evening.
WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasts more heavy rain this week, but weather analyst Philip Duncan says there will also be bits of sunshine.
“The current low will gradually weaken over the next 24 hours and so Friday and parts of Saturday may well be spring-like yet again with highs in the late teens, possibly even 20 if that warm northerly kicks in.”
But he says there will be more rain on Saturday and Sunday and authorities should prepare for more slips,
“It will cover the Tasman Sea then bring in heavy rain during Saturday and Sunday for the North Island and Sunday and Monday for eastern areas of the South.”
Weatherwatch South Island weather analyst Aaron Wilkinson says the South Island could also see more snow early next week.
“Snow is expected down to 600m in Canterbury with patchy rain and drizzle for Christchurch on Monday.”
He says the West Coast should warm up later next week.
3 News