Wild Weather: Lightning strikes, strong winds hit South Island

A deluge of heavy rain and strong winds has hit parts of the South Island with forecasters warning there is more to come.

Metservice has issued an orange heavy rain warning for Westland south of Otira, the headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago lakes and Fiordland. They are expected to lift throughout this evening and tomorrow afternoon.

Tree taking out powerlines in Sheffield. Photo / George Heard

An orange strong wind warning is also in place for Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago, Fiordland, Southland and Stewart Island.

Orange warnings indicate a likelihood of significant disruption and potential risk to animals, people and property.

Tree taking out powerlines and dust storm through Sheffield. Photo / George Heard

They are expected to lift throughout this evening and tomorrow afternoon.

Meanwhile, Ashburton has recorded its strongest wind gust since 2006.

Metservice says it recorded a gust of 107km/h in the city this morning. It has only exceeded gusts of 100km/h seven other times.

Strong wind gusts in Dunedin have caused trees to fall and block roads including outside a high school this afternoon.

Emergency services were sent to Highgate in Roslyn early this afternoon after a tree fell at Columba College and there was a strong smell of gas.

Tree down outside Columba College on Highgate. Photo / Dave Bull

Highgate was closed between Oban St and Pacific St.

And more than 500 properties in Canterbury were left without power due to the severe weather.

Rain radar map from Met Service. Photo / Supplied

398 homes in Coalgate, Glentunnel, Hororata and Whitecliffs lost power at about 6am, according to Orion. It was expected to be restored at noon.

Properties in Sheffield, Waddington, West Melton, Burnham, Ellesmere, Norwood and Springston were also without power at 10am.

Metservice is warning it is likely to be a "significant severe weather event".

"People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts, as some areas could be upgraded to red warning."

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It's a windy one across the lower 2/3rds of the country with many areas covered by an Orange Warning for Strong Winds.

This animation runs through some of the possible impacts from strong winds.

Learn more about our Severe Weather process here: https://t.co/yTMpPHHZLz pic.twitter.com/2FgtTXOJnn

— MetService (@MetService) July 18, 2022

Environment Canterbury has issued a flood warning for those near major alpine and foothill rivers, and is planning a response.

Parts of the South Island have also been battered with lightning strikes overnight and this morning.

Metservice reported there were 3424 strikes from midnight to 7am.

Roads closures, warnings

Due to strong winds, motorists have been urged to use caution on a number of state highways.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says there are strong wind warnings on the following roads:

• SH1 Rakaia to Timaru
• SH77 Methven to Windwhistle
• SH79 Fairlie to Geraldine
• SH80 Lake Pukaki to Aoraki Mt Cook

Caravans, campervans, high-sided vehicles and motor bikes should also be careful on SH73 Springfield to Arthurs Pass and SH8 Omarama to Fairlie.

The Haast Pass is closed due to fallen trees. SH94 Te Anau to Milford is also closed due to increased avalanche risk and is not expected to open today.

SH 8 Haast to Makarora was closed on Monday. Photo / Supplied

SH82 in Waimate was closed near the Hollands Bridge due to fallen trees but has sinsce reopened.

"Road users are advised to avoid the area or consider delaying your journey until this has been cleared," an NZTA spokesperson said.

MetService meteorologist Tui McInnes said the weather could become quite hazardous.

"That rain has to go somewhere and of course that rain drains into the rivers. Further to that, we've got the strong winds associated with this, which means it's good to be careful and keep an eye out because we're going to have some potentially quite hazardous conditions about for the next couple of days."

Increased runoff is expected to be pushed into alpine and foothill rivers.

With the heavy rain and strong winds, we also have some 🌩🌩

3,424 strikes from midnight to 7am to be precise! pic.twitter.com/aUXrHXEu06

— MetService (@MetService) July 17, 2022

Parts of the Ashburton River are expected to see water flows that will test flood protection works in the area.

Environment Canterbury duty flood controller Chris Firth said while this weather is typical for this time of year, a combination of other factors will heighten its effects.

Environment Canterbury is urging people in flood-prone areas to monitor the situation and move stock to higher ground.