Worst storm of the year expected to hit today
New Zealand is expected to face its worst winter storm of the year with rain, snow and gales set to hit much of the country.
MetService has warned the vicious cold front is expected to hit today and last for the next four days.
Weatherwatch.co.nz is forecasting the snow to fall down to sea level across Southland and Otago tonight. Nowhere in the South Island is expected to escape the snow fall.
Travel across the country will slow down and farms are being advised to move livestock before the storm arrives.
Coastal regions have been put on alert with possible flooding from strong onshore winds, high waves and heavy rain. Sailings across Cook Strait could be at risk with waves predicted to reach up to 4m by Thursday.
In the South Island, snow is expected to fall for two straight days. In the southernmost regions snow is predicted to fall down to 100m and down to 200m in Canterbury.
Tomorrow, the weather will worsen as the storm tracks north with snow, gales and heavy wind to affect the centre of the county.
Gales are forecasted to hit Taranaki to Gisbourne south and torrential rain is expected to fall across the lower half of the North Island.
Snow is expected to impact life in central and eastern areas with predictions snow will fall down to 600m across Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay and east of Taupo.
MetService forecaster Ciarin Doolin said the wintry weather is expected to impact many parts of both islands and people could expect roads across the country to become snowbound.
“This front is expected to bring significant severe weather, affecting many parts of New Zealand from Tuesday to Wednesday, including heavy rain, snow and severe gales, and may cause disruption to transport and stress to livestock. It is also worth noting that for coastal areas exposed to a strong onshore flow, high waves and heavy rain could lead to inundation,” said Doolin.
“There is still a degree of uncertainty in the computer models regarding the midweek severe weather event, so people are advised to keep up to date with the latest Severe Weather Outlook. It is highly likely that Severe Weather Watches or Warnings will be issued nearer to the event.”
The weather is not expected to ease until Friday when the storm will move away from the North Island.
Image credit: NIWA Weather