Not flash for the West Coast.

SEVERE WEATHER WATCH FOR WELLINGTON, WAIRARAPA, MARLBOROUGH, BULLER,FIORDLAND, CANTERBURY HIGH COUNTRY ISSUED BY METSERVICE AT 0945hrs 30-Dec-2016

PERIOD OF HEAVY RAIN ABOUT THE SOUTH ISLAND WEST COAST THIS WEEKEND, WITH NORTHWEST GALES ABOUT THE HIGH COUNTRY AND NEAR COOK STRAIT.

An active front is expected to approach the South Island during Saturday afternoon, then move east over the country Saturday night and Sunday. This front is preceded by strong moist northerlies and rain, with the heaviest falls expected about the South Island's West Coast.

A heavy rain warning is now in force for WESTLAND.

This WATCH is for the possibility that rainfall accumulations reach warning criteria in the following areas:

NORTHERN FIORDLAND: From early Saturday evening until early Sunday morning.

THE CANTERBURY HEADWATERS: From Saturday evening until mid-morning Sunday, chiefly near the Alps.

BULLER: From Saturday night until Sunday afternoon.

In addition, this WATCH is for the possibility that northerly gales in the following areas could approach severe gale:

THE CANTERBURY HIGH COUNTRY: From Saturday evening until early Sunday afternoon.

MARLBOROUGH, WELLINGTON and WAIRARAPA: During Sunday.