Forecast for The South Island, NZ

TODAY, TUESDAY 29 APRIL: A mixed bag across the South Island today. Expect rain developing along the West Coast and spreading into Canterbury during the afternoon and evening, where a Heavy Rain Watch is in place from early Wednesday morning for potentially heavy falls. Central Otago and Southland will see cloud increasing, with a chance of rain developing later, while the Top of the South looks likely to stay mainly dry with some cloud. Winds will start as light easterlies or northeasterlies for many, but turn southerly or southwesterly later, becoming breezy to brisk about the south and east with speeds possibly reaching 20 to 40 km/h, maybe higher gusts near the coast later. Where rain occurs, totals will generally be light to moderate, perhaps 5 to 15 mm, but could reach higher amounts under the Watch area. Temperatures will cool this evening; the area low tonight will range from 6°C inland to 13°C near the coast. The high today is expected between 11°C in the mountains and 21°C in the sunnier northern spots. TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY 30 APRIL: A wet and much cooler day for most of the South Island as rain spreads across the island, likely becoming persistent and heavy at times in Canterbury where the Heavy Rain Watch continues. There's a chance this rain could turn to snow above about 800 metres in the Southern Alps later. Rain elsewhere will vary, possibly lighter in the far south and west later on. It will be a windy day too, with southerly or southeasterly winds becoming strong across many areas, potentially reaching 30 to 50 km/h with gusts 60 to 80 km/h or higher in exposed places, especially the east and south. Rainfall amounts could range widely, from 5 mm in drier spots up to 30 mm or more, particularly in the east under the Watch. It will feel much colder; the area low is likely 1°C to 8°C, with the high only reaching between 8°C and 15°C, coldest inland.