Update 31 May:

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has this afternoon put in place an ‘area warning’ for road users travelling on State Highway 6 between Hokitika and Haast.

The warning is due to surface flooding and strong winds, with caution advised along this route.

Rain is falling along the West Coast as expected after MetService introduced orange heavy rain warnings from Tasman down to Fiordland, and for the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur's Pass. Orange MetService warnings mean that streams and rivers may rise rapidly, with potential for surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions.

MetService also has a strong wind watch in place for the Canterbury high country, with north to northwest winds potentially approaching severe gale in exposed places.

29 May:

Holiday weekend travellers to the West Coast, after navigating potential ice and fog through central South Island areas, are being encouraged to also prepare for the impacts of heavy rain later in the weekend.

From Sunday (31 May), MetService has orange heavy rain warnings in place for the Ranges of Buller and Westland south of Hokitika. These orange warnings indicate that the amount of rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly, with potential for surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions.

From 9am Sunday through to midnight on Monday, people are warned to expect 250 to 350mm of rain in the Buller Ranges, while 350 to 450mm of rain is forecast about the ranges for Westland south of Hokitika from 2am Sunday to 8pm Monday, with lesser amounts near the coast.

For those West Coast visitors travelling through on Sunday or home on the King’s Birthday public holiday on Monday, this may mean dealing with wet conditions and potential delays. New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) reminds people that heavy rain means slippery roads and drivers should think about adjusting their speed and travelling distances, avoiding sudden braking, and staying visible (using headlights in daytime hours).

People are also urged to avoid driving through floodwaters where the depth is unclear and there may be hidden obstructions.

The potential for frosts, ice and fog through today and tomorrow on central South Island state highways is outlined in this previous bulletin:

https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic-bulletins/ice-ice-maybe-for-long-holiday-weekend(external link)

Stay up to date on latest weather conditions at MetService(external link), and the latest state highway conditions at NZTA’s Journey Planner site.