Take care out there Waitaki!

Strong winds are causing havoc across the district, with trees down and State Highway 1 closed near The Mill House, at Herbert.

A motorist, who was held up on State Highway 1 near Herbert about 4pm, also reported seeing a caravan on its roof south of Hampden.

MetService predicts significant and damaging severe gale westerly winds will affect southern and central Aotearoa New Zealand into tonight (Monday). 

Orange Strong Wind Warnings are in force for most of the South Island, particularly the Canterbury High Country, as well as Wellington and Wairarapa, MetService meteorologist Ngaire Wotherspoon said.

“Wind gusts of this strength could damage trees, powerlines, unsecured structures, and could make driving hazardous,” she said.

A strong, showery southwesterly change will bring further severe gales later today, with gusts up to 130 km/h in Southland and Otago, and snow is possible to 500 metres. 

“Queenstown and Dunedin are particularly vulnerable to this change, especially after the flooding in Queenstown last week softened the ground, affecting tree stability in strong wind,” Ngaire said

Winds and showers ease should tonight, and Tuesday brings colder, calmer weather as a ridge of high pressure takes over in the wake of the southwest change. 

Temperatures across the country are expected to cool in the shade, followed by a clear and frosty night.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel. Though Wednesday is set to start off rather fresh, sunny skies and calm winds finally win out, and most of the country can expect a few fine and warm days for the second week of the school holidays,” she said.