Southerners urged to prepare for winter storms

Canterbury Civil Defence is warning people to prepare for winter storms, after a heavy snow warning was issued today.

The MetService issued a severe weather warning for parts of the South Island after forecasts for gales and heavy snow.

A depression southeast of Otago was moving northeastwards, bringing a cold south to southwest flow in its wake.

Snow showers were expected to about 100 metres in Southland and Eastern Otago, including the hill suburbs of Dunedin.

The MetService said the low would most likely pass near Banks Peninsula in Canterbury overnight, bringing a period of severe southwest gales with gusts up to 120km/h.

People in the area were warned the winds had the potential to cause damage to trees and powerlines, making driving hazardous.

Canterbury Civil Defence regional emergency management office manager Jon Mitchell said people needed to prepare for the wintry weather.

"Heavy rains have already caused significant flooding in South Canterbury in the last few days and this weather system may cause more issues."

People could be on their own for three days or more if the region experienced road closures or power cuts from the weather, Mr Mitchell said.

People needed to have stocks of food, water, fuel alternative lighting and other emergency supplies on hand, he said.

"Also, for businesses that depend on electricity or telecommunications, having a backup generator is a very good idea," Mr Mitchell said.

People considering driving over the mountain passes should take chains with them in case of snow and were advised to check road conditions before setting out, he said.

A severe weather watch was also in place for a brief burst of severe gales in the southeastern North Island, from Hawke's Bay to the northern Wairarapa.

The icy blast followed a weekend of bad weather across the country.

In the South Island, heavy rainfall caused the Rangitata River to burst its banks, north of Temuka in South Canterbury, on Sunday afternoon.

That flooded the main railway trunk line and, further north, a section of State Highway 1 south of Ashburton.

Heavy rain also had the Mackenzie Basin town of Omarama on the edge of a Civil Defence emergency, with water ankle-deep in the main street and up to a metre deep in other places.

In the North Island, Taranaki was hit by a mini tornado as well as lightning strikes, which downed powerlines and damaged transformers, cutting power to 230 properties.

In Hawke's Bay high winds blew a tree down across SH2 at White Pines Bush, about 15km north of Napier.

- NZPA