Severe weather warnings have been issued for parts of the South, including heavy snow for Central Otago mid-week.

MetService said a front moving northwards over southern and central South Island from this evening and during Wednesday was expected to bring a period of heavy rain to Fiordland and the Westland ranges, and heavy snow to low levels for Central Otago, the Southern Lakes and the MacKenzie Basin.

Met Service has issued a road snowfall waring for the Lindis Pass (State Highway 8) with between 5cm to 10cm possible.

In Southland, rain with heavy falls may possibly turn to snow at the Homer Tunnel about mid-day on Wednesday, affecting the Milford Road area (State Highway 94).

At this stage the road was expected to remain open, Milford Road Alliance advised. The avalanche threat was low.

ROAD SNOWFALL WARNING

Area: Lindis Pass (SH8)  from 3pm on Wednesday until 6am on Thursday.

Snow lowering to 400m. Accumulations of 5cm to 10cm were  possible above 600m and lesser amounts down to 400m.

HEAVY SNOW WATCH
Areas: Central Otago, Southern Lakes and the MacKenzie Basin from 4pm on Wednesday until 2am on Thursday.
Periods of heavy snow above 600 metres, where snowfall amounts may approach warning criteria, and lesser amount down to 400 metres.

HEAVY RAIN WATCH

Area: Fiordland
From 6pm on Tuesday until 10am on Wednesday.

Heavy rain is expected to spread northwards from Tuesday evening. Rainfall accumulations may approach warning criteria.
Area: The ranges of The Westland District
From 6am on Wednesday until 12am on Thursday.

Heavy rain is expected to spread north during Wednesday morning and afternoon, and amounts may approach warning criteria.

- Allied Media