Cyclone window expands for Marlborough

MetService expanded the heavy rain watch for eastern Marlborough and northeastern Canterbury to start at 9am on Sunday and last 15 hours.

As Cyclone Vaianu continued on its path toward New Zealand on Saturday morning, the forecasting service identified only this swath of the South Island for a severe weather alert.

The heavy rain watch has a moderate chance of getting upgraded to a warning.

MetService meteorologist Clare O’Connor said Friday evening that the storm front should move through "pretty quickly" but the region might see around 10-20 millimetres of rain per hour. Coastal swells around Kaikōura could peak around 3-5 metres late on Sunday, though no wind warnings have been issued.

Saturday morning's update mapped the affected communities as the affected communities as Picton, Havelock, Blenheim, Rarangi, Renwick, Seddon, Ward and Kaikōura.

In a Friday afternoon announcement, Marlborough District Council Chief Executive John Boswell advised property preparations such as removing or tying down loose items and clearing gutters, as well as keeping pets indoors and managing livestock.

Check Weather Warnings & Watches | MetService for updates on the forecast and advisories.