Flights cancelled, major route blocked as winds lash South Island

Several flights have been either delayed or cancelled, hundreds of homes are without power, and a major state highway has been blocked by a rolled truck trailer as heavy rain and gale-force winds sweep up the country.

Almost the entire South Island and part of the lower North Island were under severe weather warnings and watches while a front, preceded by a strong and humid northwest flow, moves over New Zealand during Monday and Tuesday.

MetService called today's conditions a precursor for a "potentially more impactful" weather event later this week. Meteorologist Michael Pawley said heavy rain and "potentially damaging winds" will arrive in the South Island on Thursday. The upper North Island is also forecast to experience a burst of rain and strong winds overnight into Friday as the "significant front" crosses.

"There are hints that the impacts could be greater. Warnings and watches are likely to be issued in the coming days. In the meantime, the National Emergency Management Agency has useful resources for how you can be prepared."

A large truck-trailer rolled in high winds in the Mackenzie District, leaving State Highway 8 blocked south of Lake Tekapo this morning.

No injuries were reported, but the road was closed near the Tekapo-Pukaki Canal Bridge.

NZTA said high winds meant it could take several more hours to safely recover the crashed truck that was blocking the road.

"The recovery will take place as the weather allows at the Tekapo flyover/Tekapo Canal Road intersection. People should avoid travel in the area or delay their journeys if possible."

Air New Zealand chief operating officer Alex Marren said high winds were impacting some South Island services this morning.

"Five flights in and out of Dunedin and two in and out of Invercargill have been cancelled. Our teams are monitoring conditions closely. For customers travelling today, we recommend keeping an eye on the Air NZ app for the latest information on their flight."

Jetstar said adverse weather and extreme winds had caused delays on Auckland to Wellington and Auckland to Dunedin flights today.

"Safety is always our number one priority. We appreciate that this will be inconvenient for travellers, and we thank them for their patience and understanding."

Nearly 900 customers in Dunedin and Mosgiel were left without power after vegetation came into contact with powerlines in four separate incidents, lines company Aurora Energy said.

An earlier outage in Roxburgh, which affected more than 200 customers at its peak, had now been mostly restored.

Further south, PowerNet was investigating outages across Southland, with reports of electricity down in parts of Invercargill and Riverton.

Severe northwesterly gales, gusting up to 120km/h, were forecast for parts of the lower South Island.

Crews were working to identify the cause and restore supply as quickly as possible.

Snow had also begun falling in alpine regions, with the Queenstown Lakes District Council confirming snowfall on the Crown Range earlier today.

"If you're planning to travel this afternoon, please carry chains and be prepared to fit them," the council said. "Road crews are en route to monitor conditions and clear snow as needed."

Webcams across South Island skifields also showed snowfall.

A raft of orange-level warnings and watches were in place, with rain warnings largely clustered along the South Island's west coast, and strong wind warnings stretching across the South Island's east coast and the lower North Island.

Heavy rain warnings were in place for the Tararua Range, Fiordland, Westland, and the headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers.

Warnings also covered Grey, Buller and Tasman west of Takaka, Nelson Lakes National Park, and the Spenser and St Arnaud Ranges.

Rainfall totals could exceed 250mm in some areas, particularly near the main divide and glacier regions, the forecaster said.

Peak intensities may reach 30mm per hour, raising the risk of rapidly rising rivers, surface flooding, and slips.

A heavy rain watch has been issued for the Southern Lakes, Mackenzie Basin, and parts of the Canterbury High Country, where rainfall may approach warning levels.

Meanwhile, strong wind warnings were in force for Wellington, Wairarapa, Tararua District, Marlborough, Canterbury High Country, Otago, Fiordland, Southland, Clutha, and Hawke’s Bay.

MetService said gusts could reach up to 130 km/h in exposed areas, posing risks to trees, powerlines, and high-sided vehicles.

Strong wind watches were also in place for Horowhenua, Kapiti Coast, Whanganui south of Bulls, Manawatū south of Palmerston North, and Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains.

West Coast Emergency Management has urged residents to clear their drains and gutters to prepare for the incoming heavy rain.

Manager Claire Brown said early preparation could make all the difference during severe weather events.

"We’re asking everyone across the West Coast to use today to get ready, secure your property, prepare for possible power outages, and avoid unnecessary travel.

"People camping or travelling across the region, should take extra care. This is a powerful weather system, and being caught out in an exposed area overnight could be dangerous."

She recommended securing outdoor furniture and items, charging phones and battery packs, preparing grab bags and checking in on neighbours.

The Tasman District Council hydrology team said there was "heightened concern" about the upper Motueka River on Tuesday afternoon.

"Given the state of the river system in this area, there is a high likelihood that flows could be impactful in vulnerable sections of these rivers."

Flows were likely to be the highest since major flooding in June/July, the team noted.

"However, we are not expecting it to be anywhere near that extent of flows."

Heavy Rain Warning – Orange

Tararua Range – 18 hours from 11pm Monday to 5pm Tuesday

Grey, Buller and Tasman district west of Takaka, also Nelson Lakes National Park and the Spenser and St Arnaud Ranges of Marlborough – 16 hours from 9pm Monday to 1pm Tuesday

Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound – 10 hours from 9am to 7pm Monday

Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers – 22 hours from 10am Monday to 8am Tuesday

Ranges of Westland – 21 hours from 9am Monday to 6am Tuesday

Headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers – 13 hours from 9am to 10pm Monday

Strong Wind Warning – Orange

Hawke's Bay – 10 hours from 10am to 8pm Tuesday

Wellington, Wairarapa and Tararua District – 20 hours from 10pm Monday to 6pm Tuesday

Marlborough – 28 hours from 2pm Monday to 6pm Tuesday

Canterbury High Country and Canterbury Plains near the foothills – 15 hours from 8am to 11pm Monday

Otago excluding Clutha – 6 hours from 8am to 2pm Monday

Fiordland, Southland including Stewart Island, and Clutha – 4 hours from 8am to 12pm Monday

Heavy Rain Watch

Southern Lakes, Mackenzie Basin and Canterbury High Country east of the headwaters and south of State Highway 73 – 18 hours from 9am Monday to 3am Tuesday

Strong Wind Watch

Horowhenua and Kapiti Coast, Whanganui about and south of Bulls, and Manawatū about and south of Palmerston North – 15 hours from 2am to 5pm Tuesday

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