Overview
- Multiple orange warnings for heavy rain, heavy snow and strong winds are in force this weekend with coastal Otago under an orange rain warning that MetService says has a high chance of being upgraded to red.
- The Westland ranges and nearby headwaters are forecast to receive very heavy falls of about 200–250 mm in the event, which raises the risk of rapid river rises, surface flooding and landslips.
- Severe northwesterly gales are expected in exposed parts of the Canterbury high country with gusts up to about 130 km/h that could damage trees, down power lines and make alpine travel hazardous.
- Freezing levels are forecast to fall so snow is likely to lower to roughly 200–400 metres in parts of Otago and northern Southland and road snowfall warnings cover routes including Crown Range, Haast Pass, Lindis Pass and Milford Road.
- The system is slow moving and may persist into early next week with Marlborough and southern Wairarapa of particular concern, so authorities are urging people to avoid unnecessary travel, clear drains and be ready to self-evacuate if waters rise.