Weather

Heavy rain and severe gales are expected to sweep over the country tomorrow, with forecasters issuing a severe weather warning and advising people to keep an eye on the weather.

Rain is urgently needed in many places throughout Otago after a mixed bag of weather during February, resulting in a drier-than-normal month.

Otago's window for receiving enough rainfall to ease the dry conditions and provide needed grass growth, is closing fast.

An abrupt drop in temperatures and a dusting of snow on high ground is being predicted by the MetService for Otago today.

A cold front forecast to hit New Zealand tomorrow will result in abrupt temperature drops in the South Island.

Strong winds are likely to lash Clutha and Dunedin until early Monday, the MetService says.

A severe-weather watch has been issued for Otago, alerting people to the possibility of wind gusts up to 100kmh or more in parts of Clutha and Dunedin this weekend.

Gales look set to hit parts of the Clutha and Dunedin regions during the weekend and early Monday.

Wild weather shunting up the east coast brought gale-force winds and plunging temperatures this afternoon, catching out tourists in Kaikoura and boaties around Wellington.

A cool change is expected to hit Otago today as a cold front crosses the South Island, the MetService predicts.