A major weather system is currently moving across New Zealand, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. This initial wave of bad weather has already disrupted travel in the South Island and is expected to be followed by a more severe event later this week. Meteorologists predict a more impactful weather surge, especially as a significant front move over the country. The current weather pattern, marked by a strong and humid northwesterly flow ahead of a major front, has led to severe weather warnings and watches across nearly the entire South Island and parts of the lower North Island since Monday. MetService reports that the immediate focus is on conditions through Tuesday, with a significant increase in severity expected afterward. Immediate impacts have already led to disruptions, especially in transportation services in the South Island. High winds caused a serious incident in the Mackenzie District, where a large truck-trailer unit overturned on State Highway 8. This incident led to the road being closed near the Tekapo-Pukaki Canal Bridge, though roading contractors quickly removed the vehicle and reopened the highway.
Authorities still advise road users to stay extremely cautious due to the ongoing threat from strong winds. The aviation industry is also facing major challenges. Air New Zealand cancelled five flights to and from Dunedin and two to and from Invercargill. The airline’s chief operating officer, Alex Marren, stated that high winds were affecting operations. Jetstar has reported delays on several important routes, including flights connecting Auckland with Wellington and Dunedin, highlighting that safety remains their top priority during these conditions. Power outages are affecting infrastructure that supports essential services. In Dunedin and Mosgiel, nearly 900 customers lost power due to four separate incidents involving vegetation contacting power lines; this issue was mostly resolved by early afternoon. Further south, PowerNet began investigating widespread outages in Southland, where areas like Invercargill and Riverton lost electricity. These outages occurred alongside forecasts for strong northwesterly winds, with gusts expected to reach up to 120 km/h in exposed areas. Winter conditions have also begun to appear in higher elevations.
Snow has been reported in alpine regions, including the Crown Range, leading the Queenstown Lakes District Council to issue a travel alert. Motorists planning to travel through these areas are strongly advised to carry snow chains, especially given images of accumulating snow on South Island skifield webcams. The geographical spread of the severe weather warnings shows a clear pattern: heavy rain warnings mainly cover the South Island’s west coast, while strong wind warnings stretch across the eastern coast of the South Island and into the lower North Island. Areas under heavy rain warnings include the Tararua Range, Fiordland, Westland, and the headwaters that feed Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers. Rainfall in these regions could exceed 250 mm, particularly near the main divide and glaciers, with peak rates potentially reaching 30 mm per hour; such rainfall significantly raises the risk of flash flooding, rising river levels, and landslides.
Heavy rain watches have also been issued for the Southern Lakes, Mackenzie Basin, and parts of the Canterbury High Country. At the same time, strong wind warnings cover a large area, including Wellington, Wairarapa, Marlborough, Otago, Southland, and Hawke’s Bay. Gusts in these exposed regions could reach up to 130 km/h, posing serious threats to power lines, trees, and larger vehicles. Emergency management officials are urging everyone to prepare thoroughly. West Coast Emergency Management Manager Claire Brown highlighted the importance of proactive steps like clearing drains and securing properties. Residents and travelers are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, prepare for possible power outages, and pack “grab bags”. The hydrology team of the Tasman District Council raised concerns about the upper Motueka River, where flows are anticipated to be at their highest since earlier major flooding events this year. Due to the changing nature of this weather event, MetService has warned of the likelihood of additional warnings and watches in the coming days.
The public is encouraged to consult resources from the National Emergency Management Agency for guidance on how to prepare effectively. The forecast indicates that the significant front will arrive on Thursday for the South Island, followed by strong winds and rain for the upper North Island by Friday morning. This highlights the need for ongoing vigilance across the country.
