MetService weather watches and warnings on 4 September 2025. Photo: Screenshot / MetService
Strong wind and heavy rain is forecast to hit parts of the South Island on Friday.
MetService has issued a heavy rain warning for the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Arthur's Pass with up to 120mm of rain expected, as well as the possibility of thunderstorms, from 3am until 6pm on Friday.
It could lead to streams and rivers rising rapidly, surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions, MetService warned.
Northwest gales are forecast for the Canterbury High Country with a strong wind warning in place from 3am until 3pm on Friday with gusts of up to 120km/h in exposed places expected.
️Heavy rain and strong wind watches and warnings are in place for parts of the country from today through Saturday. Check the details for your area here https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5 pic.twitter.com/q85LOmVugK
— MetService (@MetService) September 3, 2025
Heavy rain watches are in place for a number of South Island areas on Friday including the Western and Southern Ranges of Tasman/Nelson, the ranges of the Buller and Grey Districts, the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers north of Glenorchy and the ranges of the Westland District.
In the North Island, periods of heavy rain are forecast for the Tararua Ranges from midnight Thursday until 3am on Saturday.
The rain then moves further north with a heavy rain watch in place from midnight Friday until 3pm on Saturday in the Eastern Bay of Plenty Ranges.
A strong wind watch is in place for Wellington and Wairarapa from 6am until midnight on Friday.
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