Wet, cold front moves north

New Zealand's wet, cold spring continues, with an active cold front over southern Fiordland this morning expected to move quickly north over the rest of the country.

MetService said the front, preceded by a moist northwest flow, is already bringing heavy rain to Fiordland and is expected to bring a burst of heavy rain to the ranges of Westland south of Otira during the day.

A further 50mm of rain is expected in Fiordland until midday, while 80 to 100mm of rain is forecast for Westland.

MetService advised people in these areas that rivers and streams would rise quickly.

It said northwesterlies could gust to severe gale strength in northern Marlborough, Wairapapa and Wellington late this afternoon and during the evening.

A cold southwest flow behind the front is expected to bring snow down to 200 to 300 metres in Fiordland, Southland and Clutha today.

The Milford Rd (State Highway 94) from Te Anau to Milford Sound, is currently closed due to snow. Between 10am and 5pm today 5-10cm could accumulate above 600m, while 2-5cm could accumulate on lower parts of the road, MetService predicted.

Rain is expected to turn to snow on Arthurs Pass this evening with 6-12cm expected above 600m between 7pm tonight and 2am tomorrow, with 2-6cm lower down.

Between 2pm and 8pm today, 5-10cm could accumulate above 500m on Lindis Pass, and between 6pm tonight and 1am tomorrow 5-10cm is expected on Porters Pass above 600, with 2-5cm on lower levels of the road.

Lewis Pass is expected to receive 2-5cm of snow above 600m between 11pm this evening and 7am tomorrow.

- NZHERALD STAFF