MetService has issued a Heavy Rain Watch for Central Otago, which is still grappling with the impact of surface flooding and heavy rain over the last week. 

The watch is set for “Inland Canterbury south of Tekapo, Central Otago, eastern areas from North Otago to Clutha, Southland north of Gore”.

The watch period starts 12:00pm Thursday, January 7 and ends 12am Friday.

MetService website states further showers are expected, which may have a greater than normal impact due to the recent heavy rains. 

These showers may be accompanied by thunderstorms, hail and localised downpours are possible.

MetService has issued a Heavy Rain Watch for Central Otago for Thursday. Image courtesy MetService. 

Cromwell-raised MetService Meteorologist Lewis Ferris says the unstable conditions experienced over the last week return to the region tomorrow afternoon (Thursday). 

“Isolated downpours are possible - these pose a risk for flash flooding in those areas still saturated. 

“Not everyone in Central is going to see the downpours as it’s not a widespread rain band but the possibly severe outcomes are worth knowing about.

“There is a high risk of thunderstorms forming in the afternoon and evening hours which could bring rain rates in the 10-25mm range. 

“This same area is currently under a low risk for Severe Thunderstorms which may see rain rates up to 40mm an hour and hail 20mm in diameter.

Current information has a risk of spots seeing 50-80mm of rain in a six-hour period but the presence of severe convection could see those numbers surpassed.

“Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips. 

“Driving conditions may also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.”

Keep up to date with http://bit.ly/AllWarnings as a Severe Thunderstorm Watch may be issued tomorrow.

Check the current Thunderstorm Risk areas here: http://bit.ly/TSOutlook