A heavy rain and gale watch has been put in place for Canterbury on Tuesday. A heavy rain watch is in place for Canterbury, Westland, North Orago, Buller, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne. The watches for North Otago and large parts of Canterbury are in place until 4pm and MetService says southeasterly rain could be heavy at times and rainfall accumulation may approach warning criteria. "An associated front brings a period of heavy northerly rain to exposed regions from Buller to East Cape. "Meanwhile, as the low approaches and crosses central New Zealand, a period of southeasterly rain is forecast for eastern parts of the South Island."

Source: Otago Daily Times December 16, 2019 20:48 UTC