Road warnings have been issued and and thunderstorms are hitting in some places as the South gets clobbered by another bout of wild weather this afternoon.
A front is expected to move rapidly over the South Island this afternoon and evening, accompanied by a strong southerly change and a burst of rain, MetService said.
The change has prompted road warnings from the NZ Transport Agency, including for State Highway 1 from Gore to Dunedin, and SH90 from McNab to Raes Junction.
Reports have come in of thunder and hail in Dunedin, and wild winds in inland Otago.
MetService said there was a moderate risk of thunderstorms from Clutha to Christchurch through the afternoon, which could be accompanied by brief heavy rain and hail.
Wind gusts of 90 to 110kmh were expected, especially near the coast.
The southwest flow is expected to ease over the South Island tonight, and the forecast is for hot and sunny days in Otago over the weekend.
