A wet, cold Wednesday is on the cards for the North Island. Photo / NZME
A wet, cold Wednesday is on the cards for the North Island. Photo / NZME
Thunderstorms and heavy downpours are forecast for the North Island today.
The South Island faces heavy snow and strong winds with warnings in effect.
Four alpine state highways are closed by heavy snow.
Thunderstorms and heavy downpours are tipped for much of the North Island today, as heavy snow and strong winds continue to lash the South Island.
Snow closed a number of state highways in the South Island overnight, with authorities warning people to avoid travel in those areas.
A heavy snow warning is in place for the North Canterbury high country, with up to 25cm of snow expected. Motorists are being told to take snow chains, sleeping bags, warm clothing and emergency items.
Fresh snow has fallen across parts of the South Island, including in Fairlie and Hanmer Springs, with more forecast until this evening.
A dynamic low in the Tasman Sea, featuring a “moisture-rich” cloud band that extends from near Darwin in Australia to New Zealand, is delivering widespread rain and wind this week, forecaster Niwa says.
“Blocking high pressure to the south and north means that the system will be slow-moving with lots of rain and elevation snow,” Niwa said.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said Wednesday was looking like a wet day for the North Island, beginning with thunderstorms for the upper regions.
UPDATE 8:15AM, WED 31 JUL CLOSED • SH6 Franz Josef to Whataroa • SH8 Twizel to Fairlie • SH79 Fairlie between SH8 and Gudex Rd • SH80 Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook OPEN W/RESTRICTIONS • SH73 Springfield to Castle Hill (Porters Pass) - No towing. Chains are essential. ^CS https://t.co/pDbMK9ksuVpic.twitter.com/AdNewumUjc
— NZ Transport Agency - Canterbury & West Coast (@nztacwc) July 30, 2024
“Up north we’re expecting those thunderstorms to be a feature for the bulk of the day,” Makgabutlane said.
For lower parts of the North Island, she said a “very average winter’s day” was expected, featuring icy cold southerly winds and wet weather.
Thunderstorms tipped for the North Island
Fronts moving over the country were expected to bring unstable conditions to several areas in the North Island and northern South Island this morning, including a possibility of thunderstorms, MetService said.
MetService said there was a moderate risk of thunderstorms this afternoon and evening for Northland, Auckland, and the far north of Coromandel Peninsula.
“[These thunderstorms] may bring localised heavy rain with intensities of 15-25mm per hour, and there is also a low risk of localised downpours producing rainfall rates of 25-40mm per hour.”
MetService earlier said while rain is on the cards for much of the country this week, the wettest weather was expected in the east of the North and the South Islands.
“This is a developing situation, and although it’s all happening in the South Island during the early part of the week, it’ll be a good idea for people in the eastern North Island to also have a close eye on the forecast,” Makgabutlane said.
Severe weather warnings, watches for South Island
Snow has closed SH6 Franz Josef to Whataroa, SH8 Twizel to Fairlie, SH79 Fairlie between SH8 and Gudex Rd and SH80 Lake Pukaki to Mt Cook.
The Mackenzie District Council warned this morning that roads in Tekapo township area were very icy.
“Please take care and watch out for crews trying to clear the roads and give them plenty of space.”
About 25-35cm of snow expected to settle above 400m for the North Canterbury high country and the foothills north of the Rangitata River.
MetService has issued an orange heavy snow warning, which is expected to last until 3pm.
South Island highways were closed yesterday and alpine areas were blanketed in snow. Photo / Sharlene McKinley
“Prepare for snow, cold temperatures and possible power outages. If you must travel, drive cautiously and ensure you have snow chains, sleeping bags, warm clothing and emergency items,” MetService said.
Fresh road snowfall warnings were issued yesterday for motorists using Lewis Pass (SH7), Arthurs Pass (SH73), Porters Pass (SH73), Lindis Pass (SH8), Crown Range Rd and Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1).
These warnings would lapse throughout Wednesday until 6pm. Between 40cm and 60cm of snow was expected to settle on SH73, with the larger totals at higher elevations. Motorists were urged to take care.
“This is expected to be a wide-reaching snow event, especially for farmers and road users,” Makgabutlane said.
