The MetService has issued five orange warnings for the South Island until Tuesday.
Heavy rain and strong winds are forecast for Canterbury until tomorrow morning.
Strong northwest winds are expected in unprotected areas in Canterbury, with gusts up to 150 km/h in the High Country.
There are also heavy rain warnings for Westland, south of Otira, and the headwaters in Canterbury – particularly south of Arthur’s Pass.
Environment Canterbury is urging people in flood-prone areas to monitor the situation and move livestock to higher elevations.
Orange warnings indicate the potential for significant disruption, along with a potential risk to animals, people and property.
The severe weather warnings follow similar storm conditions last week, which caused flooding and heavy snowfall.
An active front from the Tasman Sea approached the South Island yesterday and was set to move northeast across the island today and tomorrow.
The front is being marked as a “significant severe weather event”, and we expect more areas to be added and some places to be upgraded to red alerts.
A red warning indicates that immediate action is needed to protect against the significant impact of wild weather.
The orange warnings indicate that an expected 36 hours of heavy rain, with possible thunderstorms, at the headwaters of many of Otago’s popular lakes and rivers is likely to result in streams and rivers rising rapidly.
There is also a risk of flooding, slipping and dangerous driving conditions.
Rain is expected to abate around 1 a.m. tomorrow.
Similar conditions in Fiordland are expected to last until 11pm today, with up to 280mm of rain accumulating north of Doubtful Sound.
In Central Otago, there was some surface water on roads around the district this morning and more rain was forecast throughout the day.
Tresca Forrester of Waka Kotahi/NZ Transport Agency told RNZ this morning that rain was expected to be particularly heavy in some mountain passes and along the west coast.
“We only advise extreme caution going into the high country over the mountain pass. The rain will be very heavy and intense, especially through places like Arthur’s Pass, Burkes Pass and down into the MacKenzie Country, Twizel, Tekapo, and also on the west coast.”
Strong wind warnings
There are also strong northwesterly winds, with gusts of up to 80mph expected in unprotected locations in Otago until 11pm today and up to 75mph in Fiordland, Southland and Stewart Island until 7pm.
Drivers have been warned that traveling on motorcycles and in high vehicles can be dangerous. Damage to trees, power lines and unsecured structures is also a risk.
The storms are expected to be worst in Otago.
Tresca Forrester of Waka Kotahi said people should not underestimate the wind factor.
“The wind is predicted to be very strong in some places and especially if you are going out with caravans or high vehicles such as a motorhome, be really extra careful as it can sneak up on you on the road.”
Strong northwest winds are expected in unprotected areas in Canterbury, with gusts up to 150 km/h in the High Country.
Marlborough, Otago, Southland, Fiordland and Stewart Island have a north-westerly storm warning with gusts of up to 120 km/h.
“The advice is that things can change very quickly.”
A strong wind warning was also in effect in the Queenstown Lakes district, a council spokesman advised this morning.
“All vehicles with a high curb or dragging something behind should be aware of this, especially when driving over the Crown Range.
“While the roads may not be icy, there will still be a lot of surface water and grit, so take it easy. If the rain continues, we’ll probably see a few skids on some roads as well.”
Milford Road closed
Snow fell last night on Milford Road (State Highway 94), but it had turned to sleet and a warning of further snow had been lifted.
However, the area of SH94 around the Homer Tunnel was closed yesterday due to an avalanche danger and is expected to be closed for much of today, according to the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency website.
[email protected]
– additional reporting RNZ