Torrential rain forecast for both islands

The Otago Regional Council is warning people to be aware of rising lake levels as the weekend brings torrential rain and gales to both islands.

Lake Wakatipu is sitting just a metre shy of the first flood warning level, while Lake Wanaka is about two metres below its warning level.

Philip Duncan, Weatherwatch Centre analyst, is predicting heavy rainfall over the next few days, severe gales and snow at higher altitudes as a deep low churns away in the Southern Ocean.

"The problem with this system is the fact that the rain clouds are very big, they're going to hang around for a very long time and they're going to spill over into the headwaters of the lakes and rivers throughout Otago and Canterbury."

The heavy rain could also swell the Clutha and Kawarau Rivers.

Wellington, Masterton, Blenheim and Kaikoura will be the areas the most exposed to severe gales on Saturday and Sunday.

- NEWSTALK ZB