South Islands are facing an extreme dose of bad weather today, and experts are urging vigilance for escalating weather warnings.
The MetService has issued five orange warnings on the lower South Island until tomorrow morning.
Orange warnings indicate the potential for significant disruption, along with a potential risk to animals, people and property.
The severe weather warning follows similar storm conditions last week, which caused flooding and heavy snowfall in parts of Otago.
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.
There is also strong northwesterly winds, with gusts of up to 80mph expected in exposed locations in Otago until 11pm today.
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, with Fiordland, Southland and Stewart Island still subject to a warning.
Snow falling last night in Milford Road (State Highway 94) is said to be dangerous, with 2-4cm expected. The area of SH94 around the Homer Tunnel was closed yesterday and was expected to be closed for much of today, according to the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency website.
Heavy rain and strong winds are also forecast for Canterbury until Tuesday.
There are also heavy rain warnings for Westland, south of Otira, and Canterbury headwaters, 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.