Heavy rain on thursday for northern Fiordland and the ranges of Westland

An active front should reach Fiordland about midday Thursday and lie across
Buller at midnight Thursday. A strong moist northerly flow ahead of the front
will bring heavy rain and thunderstorms,especially to the ranges of Westland.
An unstable northwest flow will bring further rain following the
front, though this should ease early Friday morning.
People in these areas should watch for rapidly rising streams and
rivers during Thursday afternoon and evening.

HEAVY RAIN WARNING

AREA/S AFFECTED: FIORDLAND FROM MILFORD SOUND NORTHWARDS AND THE RANGES OF
WESTLAND SOUTH OF OTIRA
FORECAST:

FIORDLAND FROM MILFORD SOUND NORTHWARDS
Rain should set in during Thursday morning and become heavy in the
afternoon.
In the 12 hours from midday to midnight Thursday expect 80 to 100mm
rain.
Rainfall intensities may reach 20mm per hour in thunderstorms.

RANGES OF WESTLAND SOUTH OF OTIRA
Rain is expected to develop late Thursday morning, and become heavier
in the afternoon. In the 18 hours from midday Thursday to 6am Friday
expect 100 to 150mm rain. Rainfall intensities may reach 25mm per
hour in thunderstorms during Thursday afternoon and evening.

FREEZING LEVEL: ABOUT 2000 METRES.

NEXT SEVERE WEATHER WARNING WILL BE ISSUED AT OR BEFORE
9:00pm Wednesday 12-Sep-2007

Forecast prepared by: Oliver Druce

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