Wind and rain warnings

George Empson, who took the photograph above, was warming up by the fire yesterday after being out and about in the Mackenzie Country snapping photographs. The Lake Takapō /Tekapo photographer described the wind in the area as ‘‘very cruel’’. ‘‘The wind is still quite strong from the present westerly and snow is being driven off the peaks to some height. It is a very cruel wind up there, and it has taken some time being by the fire on my return to warm up again,’’ he said. And more severe weather is expected in the Canterbury High Country as a moist northwesterly flow develops over the far south late today and then spreads north over the South Island tomorrow. Heavy rain is expected in the west and also possibly about the headwaters of the Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers and severe gales may affect Southland, Otago and Canterbury, the MetService says. ‘‘People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case any changes are made, or further areas are added,’’ the agency says. A strong wind watch is in place for the Canterbury High Country, and is valid from 11am tomorrow to 6am on Saturday. ‘‘Northwest winds may reach severe gale at times. Note that the gales are likely to become severe and a warning will probably be issued Thursday [this] morning,’’ it says. A heavy rain watch is also valid from 9am tomorrow to 11am on Saturday, for the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Arthurs Pass. ‘‘Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria,’’ it says.