Heavy rain has lashed the West Coast...and it may not be finished yet

In the 12 hours to 8am today, a weather station in Hokitika recorded almost 200 millimetres of rain.

MetService Meteorologist Dan Corrigan, says stations at Arthur's Pass and Mt Cook both reported more than 120 millimetres during that period.

He says peak hourly rates reached up 36 millimetres an hour, at one of those stations.

Heavy rain warnings for the area have lifted -- but fresh watches have been issued for later today, and into tomorrow.