NZTA have advised there are currently ten state highway closures in place throughout Canterbury following the Met Services red warning for the region.

This is only the second time a red warning has ever been issued and is a significant weather event.

Civil Defence Emergency Management Canterbury has declared a state of local emergency in Canterbury, following local declarations of emergency by the Timaru District Council, Ashburton District Council and Selwyn District Council.

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The Met Service reports the broad area of heavy rain that has affected Canterbury during the last two days is breaking up and beginning to ease in areas.

The main focus of heavy rain will be north of the Rakaia River and about the inland hills and ranges, where 50 to 90mm could accumulate untill 7pm this evening.

Away from the ranges 10 to 40mm is possible in most places, apart from Banks Peninsula where 40 to 60mm is likely.

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While for the area about and south of the Rakaia River and north of Geraldine, 30 to 50mm is possible about the foothills until 3pm this afternoon.

This rain is in addition to the large amount of which has already accumulated for this event, where rainfall totals have exceeded 400mm in some areas.

The snow level is expected to be around 1500 metres today, with heavy snow expected above this level.

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This rain is expected to cause dangerous river conditions and significant flooding. Slips and floodwaters are likely to disrupt travel, making some roads impassable and possibly isolating communities.

Meanwhile Environment Southland has activated its flood warning after recording sites at Mahers Beach on the Waikaia River and the Oreti River at Lumsden Cableway reached the pre determined level for flood warning to be turned on.

Light rain continues to fall throughout Southland but no major impacts are currently expected.