Monster storm will rage all week

Severe gales sent waves crashing over Marine Drive in Eastbourne, near Wellington, yesterday. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Severe snow, wind and rain is expected to continue to batter parts of the country but Auckland looks set to escape the worst of it with better weather predicted for the weekend.

MetService said a bitterly cold southwest flow was expected to spread over the lower South Island with snow lowering to near sea level later today.

But MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said last night pressure was expected to rise over the North Island and over eastern parts of the South Island, bringing sunny spells over the weekend.

He predicted stormy weather before the calm, with gusty westerly winds for Auckland and surrounding areas for the next two days, which he said would intensify tomorrow.

Southland snow

Southlanders already dealing with the effects of the weekend's storm were being urged to prepare for more snow and rain over the next two days.

The region was hit hard by heavy snow at the weekend, causing the roofs of Stadium Southland and Wren's paint shop to collapse, the roof of Windsor New World supermarket to partially collapse, and roofs of some commercial buildings to sag.

The investigation into the collapse of Stadium Southland is continuing after concerns were raised that the structure was not sound.

A closed meeting was held between the local council and stadium charitable trust yesterday, and Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson is expected to visit Invercargill today to inspect the damage.

A respite overnight on Sunday and yesterday offered some relief, but Southland residents have been warned more snow is on the way.

"Significant snowfalls are possible in parts of Southland and the Clutha district during this time. These are especially likely in the Catlins and areas exposed to strong southwesterlies that could produce snow drifts," MetService said.

"However, it is uncertain if amounts in coastal areas, such as Invercargill will be as significant as those seen a few days ago."

Civil Defence controller Neil Cruickshank yesterday urged people to take stock of their ability to cope with another onslaught of bad weather, saying many had been caught out when all Invercargill's supermarkets were closed as a result of the snow storm.

"Every household should be prepared to cope by having at least three days supply of essential food and water."

South Island farmers have lost thousands of lambs in the bad weather.

Southland Federated Farmers president Rod Pemberton said farmers were holding their breath and hoping for milder weather.

"A lot will depend on how heavy the snow showers are." he said.

Power cuts

In the central North Island, residents were continuing to feel the effects of the storm, with thousands of household being hit by power cuts after gale-force winds.

More than 58,000 people lost power over the weekend, and as Powerco was working to restore power to the remaining customers yesterday, high winds cut off power to another 2800 households in north Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu and Wairarapa yesterday.

Powerco Network Operations Manager Phil Marsh said despite the winds picking up last night crews had made steady progress and this morning there were around 600 customers without supply.

"Since Friday we have had more than 62,000 customers lose power," he said.

The majority of the 600 customers without power are in Whangamata on the Coromandel Peninsula, Kimbolton and Pongaroa in the Manawatu, Turakina, Whanganui East and Waitotara in Whanganui, and Otautu (near Hawera) and Otaraoa (near Waitara) in Taranaki.

There will also be isolated customers without power across the North Island due to minor faults like blown fuses and damaged low voltage or service lines.

Powerco is urging members of the public to keep well away from any remaining downed overhead lines or other damaged network equipment.

"Safety is our top priority and we are urging members of the public to keep well away from any damaged parts of the network."

Mr Marsh said Powerco expected to restore supply to the majority of affected customers today, barring further storm-related damage to the network.

Auckland boaties were urged to check their moorings but harbourmaster duty officer Marc Davis said only two boats had broken free.

More bad weather is forecast in the region with rain, wind and snow possible later in the week.

MetService has lifted a warning for severe gales in Wellington and southern Wairarapa, but severe westerly gusts of up to 130km/h were expected to continue in exposed parts of Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa.

"Winds of this strength have the potential to damage trees, powerlines and insecure structures and make driving conditions hazardous, especially for tall sided vehicles and motorcycles," MetService said.

Road closures

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has closed several State Highways around the South Island due to snow fall, while restrictions are in place for others.

The Milford Rd connecting Te Anau and Milford Sound reopened at 10am after being closed for the night, however the NZTA said drivers must carry chains and towing vehicles would be prohibited. Further snow showers are expected through till this evening, with 10-15cm expected in places. A more significant fall is expected tomorrow evening with a further 20-30cm possible.

SH93 from Clinton to Mataura Rd and SH87 from Outram to Middlemarch are closed until further notice.

Towing vehicles are prohibited on SH7 from Hanmer to Springs Junction (Lewis Pass) and SH73 from Arthurs Pass to Otira. The MetService is expecting the Lewis Pass receive significant snow fall later today, with 15-25cm forecast to fall between 9pm tonight and 3am tomorrow. Occasional snow flurries are expected tomorrow with more significant snow likely again tomorrow evening above 500 metres.

Arthurs Pass is expected to receive 5-15cm this afternoon and a further 20-30cm above 500 metres from early tomorrow afternoon to midnight tomorrow.

Lindis Pass is forecast to receive mostly light snow flurries today with 1-3cm possible in places. A more significant 5-10cm is expected tomorrow evening.

Porters Pass is expected to get a possible 2 to 4cm this evening as a southerly change moves up the east coast of the South Island.

High wind warnings are in place on SH90 from Raes Junction to SH1 and SH1 from Waipahi to Gore.

The NZTA is advising extreme care be taken on SH94 from Gore to Mandeville, SH1 Lorneville to Clifden, Invercargill to Bluff and Edendale to Invercargill, SH98 from Lorneville to Dacre, and SH6 from Winton to Invercargill and Athol to Lowther.

Several roads in the central North Island have been closed, largely because of slips, including SH3 through the Manawatu Gorge, the Cheltenham to Hunterville section of SH54, SH43 from Stratford to Taumarunui. Cautions are in place following slips on SH1 at Utiku south of Taihape, SH4 from Wanganui to Raetihi, and SH3 at Ratana.

Sleet showers are possible about the top of the Desert Road this morning, followed by a possible 5-10cm of snow fall from midday through till tomorrow morning as a cold southerly moves through.

Warren Furner of the Ruapehu District Council said there had been 19 significant slips on the district's roads since Friday.

"Early estimates of damage are that it will cost over $1 million to fix what we know about so far."

WEATHER'S WRATH

* The weekend storm brought down power lines and trees leaving about 58,000 homes in the central North Island without power at the weekend - all but 200 homes had electricity restored yesterday.
* Strong gales yesterday left a further 2000 homes without electricity in North Taranaki, Manawatu and the Wairarapa.
* 19 significant slips in roads in Ruapehu will cost about $1 million to fix. More snowfall is expected in Southland today and tomorrow.

- additional reporting Paul Harper, Wayne Thompson, Mathew Dearnaley, NZPA