Severe weather expected to bring heavy snow and rain to the lower South Island "couldn’t come at a worse time" for some farmers.
Weather authorities are expecting a "significant weather event" for the whole country as an active and complex low-pressure system moves to the east of New Zealand this weekend.
A heavy snow watch is in place for Clutha, Central Otago south of Alexandra, Southland, Fiordland and Stewart Island from 6pm tomorrow to 10am on Tuesday.
Snow is expected to lower to 300m tomorrow evening and to near sea level on Monday morning. The heaviest snowfall is expected above 300m at this stage, where accumulations could approach warning criteria.
Federated Farmers Southland president Geoffrey Young said while many farmers had finished lambing and calving, those on the hills and high country were just getting started.
"It couldn’t come at a worse time for them," he said.
Farmers would have to ensure their stock had shelter, but most stock were in pretty good condition after winter, which was positive, he said.
Nevertheless, there were some concerned farmers out there.
"It’s not only their livelihood — they really empathise with their stock and want to keep them safe."
Snow showers are also expected in other parts of the South on Monday and Tuesday, including Dunedin and Queenstown.
A heavy rain watch is in place for Fiordland from 6pm today to 1pm tomorrow and wind watches are also in place for large parts of the South.
The MetService has released a graph detailing exactly how bad the weather is forecast to be — with the average forecast models for tomorrow pointing towards one of the worst storms since at least 2014.
The intensity of the severe weather forecast for the weekend falls just above that of a storm in November 2018, when roads were closed on the West Coast because of flooding.
It falls just under that of another huge weather event in May 2014, when 4500 homes were left without power and there was heavy snow in Queenstown.
The Canterbury high country is also on alert, a strong-wind warning having been issued which includes the expectation of gusts up to about 120kmh.
— Additional reporting NZME
