Floods, thunder and more snow

New Zealand's run of bad weather is far from over. Photo / Stuart Munro/Wanganui Chronicle

Thunderstorms are expected to batter the lower North Island and upper South Island, farmers near the Manawatu River are being warned to move stock because of flooding fears and survival kits might be needed in Southland.

A classic winter storm is continuing to hit much of the country.

This afternoon the MetService issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Tararua, Kapiti-Horowhenua, Wairarapa, Wellington, Marlborough and Nelson.

A deluge of rain has already seen the Horizons Regional Council warn farmers with stock in the floodway to move their animals tonight.

Spokesman Allan Cook said rivers are rising and if the rain continues as predicted they will have to open the Moutoa floodgates early tomorrow to relieve pressure on the Manawatu River.

He says other rivers in the region are also rising but Horizons is not predicting them to be of any concern.

Further south, Environment Southland is putting the word out that survival kits might have to be called on tonight or tomorrow.

Snow is expected down to sea level in coastal parts of Southland and Clutha with snow showers likely through out tomorrow across the remainder of Southland and Clutha.

Southland Emergency management manager Neil Cruickshank says snow might cause some power outages.

He says it would pay to have some pre-packaged food and alternative forms of heating other then electric.

Mr Cruickshank said they were erring on the cautious side as the snow could be region wide or quite localised, but said it was more likely that it will settle above 200 metres.

He said motorists should take extra care and check weather conditions before travelling.

More bad weather to come

Forecaster Paul Mallinson said conditions had eased early this afternoon, but another trough was expected to move through the area from Farewell Spit to the outer Marlborough Sounds to the Kapiti Coast and then around the coast to south Taranaki, from about mid-afternoon to early evening.

"Thunderstorms are again expected with this feature.

"There is a risk that one or two of these thunderstorms may become severe and produce wind gusts over 110km/h along with the risk of one or two small tornadoes, bursts of heavy rain and small hail," he said.

Another front accompanied by thunderstorms was expected to move through these areas from the southwest between 2am and 7am tomorrow bringing a similar severe weather threat.

"Wind gusts of this strength can cause some structural damage, including trees and power lines, and may make driving hazardous," Mr Mallinson said.

"If any tornadoes occur, they will affect only very localised areas."

Earlier forecaster Oliver Druce said a series of fronts would bring further rain or showers to western areas of both islands today.

He said snow was likely to affect all the main alpine passes and also many roads in Southland and Otago from tonight.

Motorists were advised to take extra care and check road conditions before travelling.

Mr Druce said a heavy rain warning was also in place for the Tararua ranges during today with 100-140mm of rain expected.

- NZPA