Severe weather alerts have been issued for parts of the South as a large low-pressure system brings “one last gasp” of winter.
MetService says while much of the country has been enjoying a settled spell of warm, sunny days, a large Southern Ocean low was bearing down on the country.
The forecaster this morning issued heavy rain and wind watches for parts of Otago and Southland.
The heavy rain watches cover Fiordland and the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers, and the strong wind watches cover Fiordland, Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes District, Southland and Stewart Island.
MetService meteorologist Silvia Martino earlier said that from Wednesday, "the see-saw tips back to wet and windy weather".
Martino said while areas in the north and east of the North Island could expect showers to start the week, fine and frosty weather would dominate around the rest of the country.
"Daytime temperatures also start to climb as the week goes by, getting into the high teens for many places from Wednesday onwards.
“Unfortunately for those looking forward to milder spring days, this warm spell will be short-lived – winter still has one last gasp for us, as chillier air sweeps back up the country on Friday."
Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly Niwa) said the Southern Ocean low would send “multiple waves” of rain and wind to New Zealand from the middle of this week until early next week.
Earth Sciences said the weather system would bring plenty of showers, especially for the western parts of both islands.
Lower temperatures behind the front on Friday could bring snow to elevated parts of the South Island, possibly affecting higher roads and stations, and this could continue to affect roads over the weekend.
Severe weather alerts
Heavy Rain Watch
Area: Fiordland
Period: 12 hours from 12am Thursday to 12pm Thursday.
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria, mainly north of Doubtful Sound. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: The headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers
Period: 10 hours from 4am Thursday to 2pm Thursday.
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria within 20km east of the main divide. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Strong Wind Watch
Area: Fiordland
Period: 14 hours from 8pm Wednesday to 10am Thursday.
Forecast: Northerly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes District
Period: 12 hours from 12am Thursday to 12pm Thursday.
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: Southland and Stewart Island
Period: 8 hours from 3am Thursday to 11am Thursday.
Forecast: North to northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places, mainly for inland areas of mainland Southland. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
- Allied Media
