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Police are warning motorists in Canterbury to watch for high winds after a caravan was flipped and power lines were brought down.
Police said a caravan was flipped on State Highway 1 near Hinds, 19km southwest of Ashburton, and power lines were downed in both Mid Canterbury towns. No one was hurt.
A house at Oxford, 55km northwest of Christchurch, lost its roof and many tree branches had been toppled, Sergeant Lindsay Turner, of the police southern communication centre, said this afternoon.
"Motorists are warned to take care and, if necessary, stop and wait for the winds to abate before travelling on," Mr Turner said.
Motorists towing caravans or trailers should be especially vigilant.
Mr Turner said there was no immediate danger to the public but "common sense is required".
Transit New Zealand urged motorists towing caravans or trailers and drivers of high-sided vehicles on SH80 from Pukaki to Mt Cook to take extreme care because of high winds.
A high wind warning was also issued for SH8 between Fairlie and Twizel.
Transit advised all South Island motorists that winter conditions still existed and urged them to watch for ice and grit in shaded areas and on bridge decks and to carry chains on the alpine passes.
In a forecast to midnight tomorrow, the MetService warned of severe gale force northwesterlies about the Marlborough and Nelson ranges.
They were predicted to ease overnight, then rise again to severe gale force about higher ground by midday tomorrow.
Spokeswomen for both ferry operators said the ferries were operating and northerly winds were not usually an issue for the ferries as it was southerlies that created big swells.
- NZPA
