Red warning for Dunedin as flooding, snow and gales threaten South Island
A red heavy rain warning has been issued for coastal Dunedin and Clutha as a major winter weather system moves across the South Island.
Red warnings are reserved for the most extreme weather events where significant impact and disruption are expected.
The red warning covers coastal Dunedin and Clutha until 9am tomorrow, with 80-120mm of rain forecast.
“We’ve a wintry mix of heavy rain and strong winds as we head through Sunday and Monday, as an area of low pressure slowly moves across the country. The areas of greatest concern are in the east of the South Island,” MetService meteorologist John Law said.
“A red warning signifies that people need to act now as immediate action is required to protect people, animals and property from the impact of the weather.
“People should also be prepared to follow the advice of official authorities and emergency services.”
MetService has warned of a threat to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding and slips. Conditions will disrupt travel, make some roads impassable, and isolate communities.
It is the sixth red warning the forecaster has issued this year and the 25th red warning event since the highest alert level was introduced in May 2019.
Orange heavy rain warnings have also been issued for coastal northern Otago, as well as parts of inland Canterbury and Marlborough, while a heavy snow warning is in place for inland Otago.
A red rain warning has been issued for coastal Dunedin and Clutha. Photo / MetService
Snow is set to blanket several of the South Island’s ski spots as a broad low-pressure system brings heavy snow, rain and potential thunderstorms to much of the country.
Due to the slow-moving nature of the weather system, the risk of prolonged rain into Tuesday night and Wednesday remains for Marlborough and Wairarapa.
Further warnings may be needed, MetService said.
MetService meteorologist Gerard Bellam told the Herald the system will continue moving north today, bringing heavy snow to parts of the South Island and rain across much of the North Island.
Bellam said that above 800m, “we expect it may exceed 1m of snowfall in this event, especially in that area south of Queenstown to Middlemarch”.
Motorists are advised to take care, with road snowfall warnings in place for the Haast Pass (SH6), Lindis Pass (SH8), Crown Range Rd and Milford Rd (SH94) from the early hours.
A road snowfall warning is also in place for SH1 between Dunedin and Waitati from midday.
MetService has also issued a heavy rain watch for mainland Southland, while a strong wind watch is in place for parts of Fiordland from tonight into Monday, with southeast winds potentially reaching severe gale strength in exposed areas.
The West Coast south of Westport is under a strong wind watch while a heavy snow watch for South Canterbury comes into effect from 3am.
Parts of inland Canterbury will be under a heavy rain watch from noon tomorrow.
“We’ve got a big low front that was crossing the South Island yesterday and that’s going to cross the North Island during the course of today,” Bellam said.
With the snowfall, the South Island can expect single-digit daytime temperatures through the close of the weekend.
In Twizel and Alexandra, a maximum of 6C is expected.
“This time of year, you would expect on average about 8C for their maximum,” Bellam said.
Temperatures across the North Island will be closer to seasonal averages after a frosty start to the weekend, with overnight lows of 6C forecast for Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay.
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