BY KATE RUSSELL AND EVAN TUCHINSKY
Nelson is expected to escape the worst of Cyclone Vaianu, but neighbouring Marlborough remains under a heavy rain watch as the system tracks toward the South Island.
MetService meteorologist Clare O’Connor says there are currently no warnings in place for Nelson and Tasman. However, the region will still experience a period of heavy rain and possible strong winds on Sunday afternoon, before conditions ease overnight.
“Nelson City will see the heaviest rainfall… but things will move off fairly quickly.”
The heaviest downpours are currently forecast between 12pm and 4pm.
While Nelson is only expected to feel the trailing edge of the storm, Clare says Marlborough is a “different story”.
MetService has expanded a heavy rain watch for eastern Marlborough and northeastern Canterbury, beginning at 9am Sunday and lasting 15 hours.
Forecasters have identified this part of the South Island as the only area currently under a severe weather watch.
The heavy rain watch has a moderate chance of being upgraded to a warning.
Clare says that the front is expected to move through “pretty quickly”, but rainfall rates could reach 10-20 millimetres per hour. Coastal swells around Kaikōura may peak between 3-5 metres late Sunday, although no wind warnings have been issued.
Saturday morning’s update listed affected communities including Picton, Havelock, Blenheim, Rarangi, Renwick, Seddon, Ward and Kaikōura.
In a Friday afternoon statement, Marlborough District Council Chief Executive John Boswell urged residents to prepare their properties by securing loose items, clearing gutters, keeping pets indoors and managing livestock.
Nelson Tasman Civil Defence says that while no watches or warnings are in place locally, it is continuing to monitor the situation in case conditions change.
“Now is a good time to make sure outdoor furniture is secure, and that your gutters and stormwater grates are clear. It’s good practice to do this whenever rain is on its way,” the agency says.
Residents are encouraged to check the MetService website for the latest forecasts and advisories.
