Winter not yet done with South
SOUTHERNERS are in for a dose of reality after basking in summerlike weather at the weekend, as an active cold front brings heavy rain, high winds and even heavy snow.
Northwesterly winds meant temperatures across Otago and Southland, particularly in eastern areas, climbed above 20degC on both Saturday and yesterday.
Timaru was officially the warmest place in the country, reaching a high of 23degC yesterday, and both Dunedin and Oamaru were not far behind with highs of 22degC.
But a cold front is forecast to move across the South Island from today, bringing with it high winds, rain and significant snow for some areas in the south.
MetService meteorologist Tui McInnes said areas were already being buffeted by high winds, and heavy rain and snow would follow as the cold front moved in from the Tasman Sea.
A strong wind watch was in place from yesterday in Central Otago, Southern Lakes, Clutha, Southland and Stewart Island, where northwesterly winds approached severe gale force in exposed places.
Snow was also forecast to fall as low as 300m in some places and significant accumulations were expected above 500m, Mr McInnes said.
‘‘At the moment it’s still quite a bit to the south around the Auckland Islands, but it is tracking quick steadily north west . . . we’re already starting to see the preceding weather with the rain and the winds,’’ he said last night.
A heavy snowfall warning was in place for Central Otago, Southern Lakes, Southland and Fiordland.
Milford Road (State Highway 94) was closed last night in anticipation of snow and warnings were in place for the Haast Pass (SH6), Lindis Pass (SH8), Crown Range Rd, and the Dunedin to Waitati
Highway (SH1).