The dry weather most of the country has been enjoying is coming to an end with heavy rain and heavy snow forecast for some as an active front moves across the Tasman Sea.
From later today through to Thursday, rain is expected in western and northern parts of the country while snow is forecast for the southern parts of the South Island.
A heavy snow warning is in place for Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes District from 9am to 9pm tomorrow.
Meanwhile, heavy rain warnings are in place for multiple locations across the country.
High pressure that moved in during the weekend is the cause of settled weather over much of the country today, but soon it’s set to bring cloud, northeasterly winds and rain.
MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said Wednesday and Thursday were the “main risk period” for severe weather.
A low-pressure system approaching from the Tasman will drag warm and humid air across our shores, bringing about “potentially severe” weather, said Ferris.
“While this does mean some warmer than average temperatures it also increases the chance of heavy rain as the system passes over.
“Strong northeasterly winds will also be seen before the rain arrives.”
Ferris said more rain was expected to fall in 36 hours across the Bay of Plenty than through all of September.
According to NIWA the heaviest rain is forecast over the west of the South Island.
NZ Transport has warned motorists to drive to the conditions and will close Milford Sound Piopiotahi highway SH94, Te Anau to Milford Sound at 5pm.
They say due to the stormy rain due overnight through to Wednesday there is an elevated avalanche risk.
It will open for a period during Wednesday afternoon, but likely to close due to the forecast for heavy snow on Wednesday night.
Heavy rain warnings are in place for:
- Mount Taranaki/Taranaki Maunga from 3pm tomorrow to 3am Thursday
- Tasman northwest of Motueka from 9am tomorrow to 6am Thursday
- Richmond and Bryant ranges including the Rai Valley from 1pm tomorrow to 9am Thursday
- The Westland District from 11pm tonight to 11pm tomorrow
Heavy rain watch in place for:
- Northland from noon to 11pm tomorrow
- Coromandel Peninsula from 6pm tomorrow to 6am Thursday
- Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane from 6pm tomorrow to noon Thursday
- Bay of Plenty from Whakatane eastwards, and Gisborne/Tairawhiti north of Ruatoria from 11pm tomorrow to 3am Friday
- Buller and Grey Districts from 10am tomorrow to 3am Thursday
Heavy snow watch in place for:
- Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes District from 9am to 9pm tomorrow
A number of road snowfall warnings were also in place.