Severe wind to hit South this week

MetService is urging southerners to batten down the hatches again as a front approaches the South Island, bringing severe gales to much of Otago and Southland later this week.

A spokesman said there was "moderate confidence" that northwesterly winds would reach severe gale force in exposed parts of Fiordland, Stewart Island, Southland and Clutha at times, from Thursday afternoon to Sunday.

"There is low confidence that northwesterly winds will also reach severe gale force in exposed places of inland parts of Otago and the Canterbury High Country late on Thursday and Friday, and also on Sunday.

"There is also low confidence that west-to-northwesterly winds will reach severe gale force for a time about exposed parts of Dunedin, North Otago, the Canterbury Plains and Christchurch, Marlborough on Friday and Sunday."

Residents are urged to secure anything that could be picked up by wind.