More heavy snow, gales, downpours ahead
Thursday, 13 July 2017
Heavy snow, severe gales and torrential downpours are picked to continue as a huge winter storm moves over New Zealand.
The icy blast had closed major roads, cancelled flights and ferry crossings, and knocked out power to hundreds - and was set to continue into Friday.
MetService said the freezing weather was a significant winter storm for the centre of the country. It was expected to cause widespread disruption to transport, especially about higher roads, and could lead to localised flooding and slips.
The agency issued a severe weather warning advising the heaviest snowfalls were picked for the central North Island high country, including higher parts of Hawke's Bay and Manawatu.
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Over 20cm of snow could fall in those areas, the forecaster said.
Heavy snowfalls in inland mid and north Canterbury as well as the Kaikoura District would gradually ease on Thursday.
Significant rainfall was also expected about the lower North Island, especially Wairarapa, Wellington, Kapiti and higher parts of Manawatu.
Up to 170mm was expected about the hills and ranges, and 70 to 100 mm about lower lying areas of Wairarapa and Wellington, MetService said.
Southerly gales would continue to hit central New Zealand until Friday, with severe gales about the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington, Kapiti, Wairarapa, Whanganui and Taranaki.
The strongest winds would be on Thursday morning, when gusts of 130 - 150kmh were likely, especially about Wellington, MetService said.