MetService has issued a weather warning for the lower South Island as winds threaten to hit 100km/h in an early winter storm.
An early, icy grip of winter is expected to clutch the south this morning, after hitting Wellington yesterday.
MetService has issued a weather warning for the lower South Island, as strong southwesterly winds threaten to hit 100km/h in parts of the Clutha and Dunedin.
Duty forecaster Heath Gullery said today's winds could damage trees, powerlines and roofs - as southerly gales did yesterday in Wellington.
A severe storm buffeted Wellington harbour, forcing three racing yachts to issue mayday calls for rescue.
In Wellington, the 17m yacht Andiamo was among 13 boats taking part in the Royal Port Nicholson fundraising race around Somes Island on Friday.
Mike Deane, a building contracts manager for Freear Philip Construction, was one of 10 staff on board with five crew members.
An hour into the race they were told the event had been cancelled.
"The call came over the radio ... and we were all wondering why, the sea was completely calm," said Deane.
But suddenly the weather changed: "Snap your fingers and it was upon you."
The yacht was buffeted by an aggressive southerly that reached gusts of 150km/h over the capital.
Deane and his colleagues sheltered in the hull while the crew worked to get the engine started in an attempt to turn back to shore.
They stayed calm but could not stop the effects of the surging sea.
"The seasickness didn't make for the best environment - I was fairly cold and shivering at the end of it," said Deane.
Despite the crew's efforts the yacht had to be towed to shore by the harbour master.
Elsewhere, the storm uprooted trees and tore the roofs off buildings.
Both St Bernard's College in Lower Hutt and Samuel Marsden College in Karori lost roofs when a mini tornado tore through their grounds.
A woman was trapped in Carterton when a tree fell across her car, causing minor injuries.
Weather analyst Philip Duncan of Weather Watch said the storm was an obvious sign that summer was over.
The cold snap that first hit the country on Friday caused temperatures to plummet. Yesterday morning Aucklanders woke to a crisp 12C, while the early morning temperature in Hamilton was only 5C.
The capital had 6C, compared to a chilly 3C in Christchurch and 1C in Waiouru. North Canterbury was hit by sleet and snow fell to 750m.
Duncan said the chill was bizarre, considering the country was still four months away from the coldest time of the year.
"It's pretty crazy for the start of March."
Duncan said today's weather should be calmer and finer in the North Island with long fine spells in Wellington.
Whangarei and Northland can expect another 10 days of dry weather, bringing no relief to farmers and hit by water shortages.
