Alert opened: 06 May 2026
Heavy Rain Warnings - Orange
Issued at 8:09 pm Wed 6 May
Period: 15hrs from 8pm Wed, 6 May - 11am Thu, 7 May
Area: Headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers
Forecast: Expect 100 to 150mm to accumulate near the divide, with 70 to 100mm within 15 km east of the divide. Peak rates 20 to 30mm per hour in possible thunderstorms during Thursday morning. Freezing level about 3000 metres. Note, another period of heavy rain is expected from Friday afternoon. Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Period: 18hrs from midnight Wed, 6 May - 6pm Thu, 7 May
Area: Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur's Pass
Forecast: Expect 120 to 180mm near the Divide, with 80 to 120mm within 15km east of the divide. Peak rates of 20 to 30mm in possible thunderstorms Thursday afternoon. Freezing level about 3000 metres. Note, another period of heavy rain is expected from Friday afternoon. Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.
Affected districts
Know where you can find up to date information
Maniototo Burn - 92.3 FM/729 AM
More FM - 90.3 FM / 94.3 FM
RNZ National - 101.5 FM/639 AM
Newstalk ZB - 89.6 FM / 95.1 FM / 90.6 FM
Radio Central - 91.9 FM (Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell), 94.3FM (Teviot Valley), 104.3 FM (Maniototo)
Radio Live - 95.9 FM
Radio Wanaka - 92.2 FM
The Hits - 99.9 FM
More FM - 93.7 FM (South Otago from Clinton), 92.9 FM (Balclutha),
107.1 FM (from Lawrence).
Hokonui - 94.8 FM (Southland), 91.3 FM & 88.3 FM (South Otago),
95.2FM (West Otago)
RNZ National - 101.4 FM / 810 AM
Radio Dunedin - 1305 AM, 95.4 & 106.7FM
More FM - 97.4 FM
The Hits - 89.4 FM
The Breeze - 98.2 FM
Magic Talk - 96.6 FM
Newstalk ZB - 1044 AM
RNZ National - 101.4 FM
RNZ National - 810 AM
OAR FM - 105.4 FM, 1575 AM
Queenstown Lakes - Queenstown
More FM - 92 FM
The Hits - 90.4 FM
Newstalk ZB - 89.6 FM
RNZ National - 101.6 FM/1134 AM
Queenstown Lakes - Wanaka
Radio Wanaka - 92.2 FM
More FM - 99.4 FM
The Hits - 96.2 FM
RNZ - 101.0 FM
Newstalk ZB 90.6 FM
More FM - 100 FM
RNZ National - 101.4 FM & 810 AM
Newstalk ZB - 1395 AM
Oamaru Heritage Radio - 88.3 & 107 FM
Real- 104FM
The Hits - 98.4 FM
Oamaru FM - 91.2FM
The Breeze- 97.6 FM
Puketapu Radio - 756 AM
