REGIONAL WARNINGS

Heavy Rain Warnings: Nelson and Buller, in the 12 hours from 9.00am to 9.00pm today: Expect 150 to 200mm of rain to accumulate west of Motueka, with lesser amounts elsewhere. Peak intensities of 20 to 30mm/h possible.

Marlborough, in the 12 hours from 10.00am to 10.00pm today: Expect 150 to 200mm of rain to accumulate about higher ground, and lesser amounts elsewhere. Peak intensities of 20 to 30mm/h possible.

Wellington, in the 24 hours from

1.00am today to 1.00am tomorrow: Expect 100 to 120mm of rain to accumulate.

The ranges of Westland, also the Canterbury High Country and foothills, in the 15 hours from 1.00pm today to 4.00am tomorrow: Expect 150 to 200mm of rain to accumulate. Peak intensities of 20 to 30mm/h possible.

Strong Wind Warning: Taranaki, Taihape, Whanganui, in the 10 hours from 3.00pm today to 1.00am tomorrow: Severe gale north to northwest winds gusting 120kmh in exposed parts of North Taranaki, but damaging gusts of 140kmh in exposed parts of South Taranaki, Wanganui and Taihape.

Nelson and Buller, in the 7 hours from 3.00pm to 10.00pm today: Severe gale east to northeast winds with damaging gusts of

140kmh in exposed places.

Marlborough, in the 12 hours from 4.00pm today to 4.00am tomorrow: Severe gale southeasterlies gusting 130kmh in exposed places.

Westland and the Canterbury High Country, in the 14 hours from 11.00am today to 1.00am tomorrow: Severe gale southeast winds with damaging gusts of

150kmh possible in exposed places.

Canterbury from Banks Peninsula northwards ,inthe8 hours from 7.00pm today to

3.00am tomorrow: Severe south to southwest gales gusting

120kmh in exposed places.