Severe conditions ahead

The MetService is predicting a wet and windy start to the school holidays over the weekend. Transport disruptions are likely, along with challenging conditions for livestock in the South Island early next week as heavy snow falls to low levels. According to the MetService, ‘‘an atmospheric setup on Saturday has meteorologists poring over their pressurecharts in anticipation of one of the most widespread severe weather events this year’’. Meteorologist Tom Adams said: ‘‘There will be strong wind and heavy rain watches/warnings issued on Friday for this event, with heavy snow watches/warnings likely to follow.’’