Several new and upgraded weather warnings have been issued for the South and lower North islands as a series of fronts move over the country this weekend.
According to MetService, a series of fronts "embedded within a strong and moist northwest flow" will move over New Zealand today and tomorrow, followed by a change to strong, colder southwesterlies.
Heavy rain was forecast for western areas of the South Island from today, with severe west-to-northwest gales likely to affect many areas on Sunday.
Snow was also expected for Central Otago and the higher roads in the South Island on Sunday.
"People are urged to keep up to date with the latest forecasts," the forecaster said.
Orange heavy rain warnings are in place for the ranges of Buller and Grey Districts, Nelson Lakes, the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers north of Aoraki/Mt Cook, and the ranges of the Westland District north of Aoraki/Mt Cook.
Orange strong wind warnings are in place for Wairarapa, Wellington, the Marlborough Sounds, the Canterbury High Country, Dunedin, Clutha, Southland south of Gore, including Stewart Island, and Tararua District.
Heavy rain watches were in place for the ranges of the Westland District about and south of Aoraki/Mt Cook, and the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Aoraki/Mt Cook.
A heavy snow watch is in place for Southern Lakes and Central Otago.
A strong wind watch is in place for Inland Hawke's Bay about and south of State Highway 5, as well as Marlborough about and east of the Kaikōura Ranges.
Road snowfall warnings are in place for Lewis Pass (SH7), Arthur's Pass (SH73), Haast Pass (SH6), Lindis Pass (SH8), Crown Range Road, and Milford Road (SH94).
A heavy swell warning was issued for the Kāpiti-Porirua Coast and Ōtaki to Cape Terawhiti.
Full list of weather warnings and watches:
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Ranges of Buller and Grey Districts – 18 hours from 3pm Saturday to 9am Sunday.
Nelson Lakes – 14 hours from 6pm Saturday to 8am Sunday.
Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers north of Aoraki/Mt Cook – 22 hours from 11am Saturday to 9am Sunday.
Ranges of the Westland District north of Aoraki/Mt Cook – 24 hours from 9am Saturday to 9am Sunday.
Strong Wind Warning – Orange
Wairarapa – 10 hours from 2am to noon Sunday.
Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds – 9 hours from 1am to 10am Sunday.
Canterbury High Country – 12 hours from 1am to 1pm Sunday.
Dunedin and Clutha – 5 hours from 7am to noon Sunday.
Southland south of Gore, including Stewart Island – 8 hours from 6am to 2pm Sunday.
Tararua District – 16 hours from 4am to 8pm Sunday.
Heavy Rain Watch
Ranges of the Westland District about and south of Aoraki/Mt Cook – 24 hours from 9am Saturday to 9am Sunday.
Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Aoraki/Mt Cook – 24 hours from 9am Saturday to 9am Sunday.
Heavy Snow Watch
Southern Lakes and Central Otago – 11 hours from 5am to 4pm Sunday.
Strong Wind Watch
Inland Hawke's Bay about and south of State Highway 5 – 6 hours from 8am to 2pm Sunday.
Marlborough about and east of the Kaikōura Ranges – 8 hours from 7am to 3pm Sunday.
Road Snowfall Warning
Lewis Pass (SH7) – 12 hours from 9am to 9pm Sunday.
Arthur's Pass (SH73) – 8 hours from 11am to 7pm Sunday.
Haast Pass (SH6) – 11 hours from 7am to 6pm Sunday.
Lindis Pass (SH8) – 12 hours from 6am to 6pm Sunday.
Crown Range Road – 12 hours from 6am to 6pm Sunday.
Milford Road (SH94) – 13 hours from 5am to 6pm Sunday.
Heavy Swell Warning
Kāpiti-Porirua Coast, Ōtaki to Cape Terawhiti – 9 hours from 9am to 6pm Sunday.
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