Heavy weather for much of country today

An unsettled Sunday is expected across much of New Zealand as a front delivers rain to the lower South Island and West Coast, along with high-elevation snow.

MetService meteorologist Sarah Haddon said a series of fronts was coming from the south-west which would move over the South Island first, and then on to the North Island this evening.

“This will bring periods of rain to most areas, apart from eastern parts which are slightly more sheltered like the Canterbury Plains, coastal Marlborough, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and the Bay of Plenty area which won’t be affected so much - just some high cloud around.

“Almost everywhere else will be experiencing periods of rain or showers and we do have quite a lot of thunderstorm risks out, with squally thunderstorms and hail expected. These will be everywhere in the west, from Southland all the way up to the Waikato,” Haddon said.

“There is quite a lot of cold air coming behind these fronts, so we are also expecting some snow as well.”

Heavy rain watches are in place for Fiordland and Westland south of Otira, with possible thunderstorms in western areas and Stewart Island as well.

These thunderstorms have the potential to bring localised heavy rain of 10mm to 25mm per hour, small hail, strong winds gusting 90km/h to 110km/h and also the possibility of a localised small tornado, mainly to coastal areas.

Northwesterly gales are expected in exposed parts of the Canterbury High Country. Additionally, a cold southwest change behind this front may bring snow down to low levels across the lower South Island, with some heavy falls above 400m.

This watch also covers the likelihood of snow accumulations reaching warning criteria above 400m in Fiordland.

Road snowfall warnings are in place for Lewis Pass (SH7), Arthur’s Pass (SH73), Haast Pass (SH6), Lindis Pass (SH8), Crown Range Rd, and Milford Rd (SH94).

On Monday and Tuesday, there is moderate confidence of warning amounts of snow in Fiordland, Southland and parts of Otago above 400 metres.

People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case parts of these watches are upgraded to a full warning or new areas are added.

 

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