Here we go again! Multiple watches & warnings issued for the South Island.
Staff Reporter
01 August 2023, 3:30 AM
Severe weather watches and warnings for the South Island. GRAPHIC: MetserviceMetService has issued a raft of severe weather watches and warnings ahead of an incoming low pressure system, including road snowfall warnings for the Lindis Pass and Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1)
Many will directly affect the Waitaki District including inland areas through to Omarama and the greater Mackenzie Basin, until tomorrow afternoon.
Severe Weather Warnings
Heavy rain and severe gales for large parts of New Zealand. Also, heavy snow in the south.
A northwest flow strengthens across central and southern New Zealand today, while embedded fronts will move across the South Island bringing periods of heavy rain to western areas. A deep low is then forecast to move eastwards just to the south of the South Island Tuesday night, followed by a strong and cold southwest change.
Warnings and Watches are in force for Strong Wind, Heavy Rain and Heavy Snow.
People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case any changes are made.
Area: North Otago, Dunedin, and Clutha
Period: 23hrs from 9am Tue, 1 Aug - 8am Wed, 2 Aug
Forecast: Northwest gales are forecast to be severe at times, with gusts reaching 120 km/h, especially around the middle of the day and this evening. Winds will change southwest tonight, with gusts reaching 120 km/h.
Area: Canterbury High Country and Marlborough south of Ward
Period: 18hrs from 9am Tue, 1 Aug - 3am Wed, 2 Aug
Forecast: Northwest gales are forecast to be severe at times, with gusts reaching 120 km/h.
Area: Fiordland, Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago, and Southland including Stewart Island
Period: 18hrs from 9am Tue, 1 Aug - 3am Wed, 2 Aug
Forecast: Northwest gales are forecast to be severe at times, with gusts reaching 120 km/h, possibly even 130 km/h in exposed places. Winds will change southwest this evening, with gusts reaching 120 km/h tonight.
Area: The headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers
Period: 6hrs from 11am - 5pm Tue, 1 Aug
Forecast: A period of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria within 15 km east of the main divide. Note, the snow level is forecast to initially be around 1100 metres, then lower to around 700 metres by the end of the watch period.
Area: The headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers, about and south of Arthur's Pass
Period: 5hrs from 1pm - 6pm Tue, 1 Aug
Forecast: A period of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria within 15 km east of the main divide. Note, the snow level is forecast to initially be around 1200 metres, then lower to around 800 metres by the end of the watch period.
Area: Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago and inland parts of Dunedin
Period: 14hrs from 1am - 3pm Wed, 2 Aug
Forecast: Snow is forecast to lower to 200 or 300 metres early Wednesday morning. Snowfall could be heavy at times above 500 metres, and snow amounts may approach warning criteria above 300 metres, especially in localised snow drifts. Note, further snow showers are possible until Wednesday evening, mainly in the south, and this Watch could be extended.
Area: Southland, Clutha, and Fiordland
Period: 19hrs from 11pm Tue, 1 Aug - 6pm Wed, 2 Aug
Forecast: Snow is forecast to lower to 400 metres Tuesday night and to 100 to 200 metres early Wednesday morning. Snowfall will be heavy at times above 500 metres, and accumulations may reach warning criteria above 300 metres, especially in localised snow drifts.
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale at times.
Area: Canterbury Plains excluding Banks Peninsula
Period: 19hrs from 9am Tue, 1 Aug - 4am Wed, 2 Aug
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Note, winds should ease for a time late Tuesday morning through to Tuesday evening.
Issued: 9:57am Tue, 1 Aug
Next update: 9pm Tue, 1 Aug
Area: Lindis Pass (SH8)
Updated 02 August 10.59am
NOW OPEN - drive with care. The road is heavily gritted due to frozen snow
The snow level is forecast to lower to 300 metres early Wednesday morning with snow continuing to fall until late morning.
Period: 5 hours from 10:00am Wed 2 Aug to 3:00pm Wed 2 August.
Forecast: A few snow showers may affect the road during this time, and a further 1 or 2 cm of snow may settle on the road.
Area: Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1)
Updated 02 August 10.59am
Period: 10 hours from 10:00am Wed 2 Aug to 8:00pm Wed 2 Aug
Forecast: Snow showers are expected to continue through to this evening, and 1 or 2 cm of snow may settle on the road at times above 200 metres.
For the latest updated forecasts and real time conditions in your local area, click on the Waitaki towns below, or go to the Weather category, next to News|Sport in The Waitaki App!