October 2025 South Island heavy rain

The story so far

MetService issued several watches and warnings on 6 October as a frontal band crossed the country, forecasting heavy rain and wind for the South Island, with gusts up to 120km/h in Wellington and the Canterbury High Country, and snowfall warnings for several South Island roads.^{6 Oct 2025} Milford Road in Southland reopened on 7 October, and a trough was forecast to bring significant rain and strong winds to parts of the South Island and West Coast from Thursday.^{8 Oct 2025} By 8 October, warnings for heavy rain and severe gales covered much of the South Island and lower North Island, and Waka Kotahi issued an area warning for State Highway 7.^{9 Oct 2025} On 9 October, torrential rain caused surface flooding and slips on West Coast highways, including at Meybille Bay on State Highway 6.^{10 Oct 2025}

Latest

Heavy rain has caused flooding and slips on South Island highways, and Waka Kotahi has urged motorists to take extra care.^{10 Oct 2025}

Key moments

1. 6 Oct 2025MetService issues several watches and warnings as a frontal band crosses the country
2. 8 Oct 2025Milford Road reopens; trough forecast to bring significant rain and wind
3. 9 Oct 2025Heavy rain and severe gale warnings extend across much of the South Island
4. 10 Oct 2025Torrential rain causes flooding and slips on West Coast highways

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.