The South Island's West Coast is set to be pounded by heavy rain for the rest of the week, bringing a soggy end to the remainder of the school holidays.
A severe weather watch has been issued for the West Coast and the Southern Alps as a large trough begins to slowly move over the South Island.
Heavy rain was expected to set in over Fiordland during this afternoon, with the rain reaching Westland tonight or tomorrow morning.
The heaviest rain was expected for Westland, south of Otira, and for northern Fiordland from this afternoon until Sunday morning.
"Given the prolonged nature of the rainfall, total accumulations may exceed 50cm in the ranges of Westland, and warnings are likely to be issued [this] morning," MetService forecaster Mads Naeraa said.
