Heavy rain, strong wind and road snow warnings as front sweeps across country

Severe wind gusts of up to 120km/h are forecast to batter Wellington and the Canterbury High Country, while snowfall warnings have been issued for several key South Island roads.

A frontal band of rain and rough winds are sweeping across the country on a northwards course across the South Island and will reach the North Island by tomorrow, MetService said.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has warned that strong wind gusts are likely to threaten the Auckland Harbour Bridge from 3am-9am tomorrow.

This wild weather will be followed by a strong, showery, west-to-southwest wind.

Heavy swells with large waves reaching above 4m are also forecast for western coasts and the southern South Island today and tomorrow.

MetService meteorologist Brian Mercer told the Herald that from this evening until dawn, thunderstorms are expected for Fiordland and through to Stewart Island.

“During the afternoon for the Kaikōura coast, Wellington and the Wairarapa [region], we have a moderate risk of thunderstorms.”

A front, preceded by a strong northwest flow, is forecast to move on to the South Island this afternoon and quickly move northwards. Photo / MetService

Mercer said there will be a period of rain for Auckland and the top of the North Island during tomorrow’s commute.

“It’s going to be a period of rain tomorrow morning with probably some heavy falls, but it’s a very fast-moving event.”

By late morning, the rain is set to ease and showers will continue through to the evening, Mercer said.

Watches and warnings

An orange heavy rain warning is in place for the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers until 9pm tonight.

The Canterbury High Country is under an orange strong wind warning until midnight.

Severe gusts of up to 120km/h are expected to lash the region.

A heavy rain watch is in place for the Tararua Range until 8am tomorrow.

A strong wind watch is in place for Wellington and Wairarapa from 10pm tonight until 5am tomorrow.

Mercer said there could be gusts of up to 100km/h in Wellington from this evening through till early tomorrow morning.

Several road snowfall warnings are also in place today and tomorrow.

Arthurs Pass (SH73), the Crown Range Road, Lewis Pass (SH7) and Milford Sound are impacted by this warning.

What’s in store for the rest of the week?

From Wednesday to Friday, a ridge of high pressure will bring some settled weather and a recovery break to most of the North Island, MetService said.

“Through the latter part of the week, there will be a focus on speed for the South Island, as those northwesterly winds are expected to increase through Thursday and Friday,” MetService said.

Temperatures across multiple regions are set to rise above 20C on Friday.

Napier and Hastings could reach 26C and 28C, respectively.

Whanganui could see a maximum of 23C, Kaikōura 24C and 20C for Gore.

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