News
Periods of heavy snow for the southern South Island. Possible severe gales for parts of the North Island and the lower South Island.
A cold southwest flow spreads onto the southern South Island tonight (Friday), then persists through to Monday morning.
There are several troughs embedded in this flow, which are forecast to bring snow to low levels over the southern South Island. Heavy Snow Warnings are now in force for southern parts of Otago, Southland including Stewart Island and southern Fiordland, while a Heavy Snow Watch remains in place for northern Fiordland. Snow falling to low-levels is likely to be impactful, even where accumulations do not meet warning criteria. Strong Wind Watch is now in force for Southland, Clutha and Dunedin.
Heavy Snow Warning
Impact: Heavy snow may disrupt travel in affected areas and could damage trees and powerlines. Cold conditions may cause stress for livestock.
Area: Otago south of line from Queenstown to Alexandra and Mosgiel, also Southland and Stewart Island.
Period: 41hrs from 4pm Sat, 1 Jul – 9am Mon, 3 Jul
Forecast: Expect periods of heavy snow above about 300 metres, with some falls down to near sea level. The heaviest snow is expected from Saturday evening through to Sunday evening, where 20 to 35 cm of snow is expected above about 300m, with lesser amounts down to near sea level.
Area: Fiordland about and south of Doubtful Sound
Period: 40hrs from noon Sat, 1 Jul – 4am Mon, 3 Jul
Forecast: Expect 30 to 40 cm of snow above 300m, with lesser amounts down to near sea level.
Heavy Snow Watch
Area: Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound
Period: 9hrs from noon – 9pm Sat, 1 Jul
Forecast: Snow is expected to fall down to 100 metres at times. Periods of heavy snow are possible above 300 metres where accumulations may approach warning criteria.
Strong Wind Watch
Area: Southland south of Lumsden including Stewart Island, also Clutha and Dunedin. Period: 20hrs from 4pm Sat, 1 Jul – noon Sun, 2 Jul
Forecast: West to southwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
Source: Metservice