Canterbury Emergency Management is urging those in the region to “prepare now” as a red strong wind warning has been issued for the area.
MetService warned of destructive 150km/h gusts as severe weather threatens to batter much of the South Island and lower North from this evening.
The forecaster said winds of this strength had the potential to “cause damage to powerlines and roofs with threat to life from flying items and falling trees, dangerous driving conditions and significant disruption to transport and power supply”.
The active front preceded by a strong north to northwest flow would then move northeast over the South Island on Sunday, and then would become slow moving over central New Zealand.
What you need to know as red warning issued for ‘destructive winds’ – watch on TVNZ+
On Saturday afternoon, Canterbury Emergency Management group controller Phill Mackay said “while wind warnings are not new to us in here in Canterbury, this event is different.
“Please take this warning seriously and prepare now,” he urged.
The red warning for Canterbury covered areas west of the foothills and west of State Highway 1 south of the Rakaia River, and was in place for 17 hours from 10pm Saturday to 3pm Sunday.
The red warning is the highest alert level issued by MetService and was reserved for the most severe weather events. It is the third red warning issued so far this year, following a red warning for wind in Wellington in May and a red warning for rain in Tasman in July.
As such, Civil Defence advised people to:
- Charge your devices and prepare for possible power outages
- Secure outdoor items and check your property for anything that could become airborne
- Avoid unnecessary travel from 10pm tonight. If you have to be on the road, drive to the conditions
- Stay informed via radio, local council Facebook pages and the CDEM Canterbury page.
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand is asking people to check your old burn piles now and make sure they are cold all the way through. That means turning them over and looking for smouldering embers. A fire reigniting in these winds could be devastating.
- Any time you, your family and/or your property are at risk, immediately contact emergency services on 111.”
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane 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.”
She said the wind would create “dangerous driving conditions”.
“Travellers, especially as school holidays get going, are advised to plan for potential disruptions.”
Strong winds weren’t solely confined to Canterbury, with nearly all of the South Island under an orange warning for strong winds. In the North Island, Wellington was also under an orange strong wind warning.
Wind gusts of up to 120 km/h were expected in exposed areas.
Up to 180mm of rain was forecast in some alpine regions, with downpours expected along western parts of the South Island, as well as the headwaters of Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers where orange heavy rain warnings were in place.
Watches were also in place for South Taranaki, Whanganui, Taihape, Grey District, and the Richmond and Bryant ranges, where conditions may approach warning thresholds.
Full list of weather warnings and watches
Strong Wind Warning – Red
Canterbury (west of foothills and west of SH1 south of Rakaia River) – 17 hours from 10pm Saturday to 3pm Sunday.
Strong Wind Warning – Orange
Wellington, Wairarapa (south of Greytown), Marlborough Sounds – 20 hours from 2am to 10pm Sunday.
Marlborough (excluding the Sounds) – 18 hours from midnight Saturday to 6pm Sunday.
Westland District – 8 hours from 2am to 10am Sunday.
Canterbury (east of SH1 south of Rakaia River, and away from foothills further north) – 12 hours from 3am to 3pm Sunday.
Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago, inland North Otago, Dunedin and Clutha – 8 hours from midnight Saturday to 8am Sunday.
Fiordland – 9 hours from 8pm Saturday to 5am Sunday.
Southland – 7 hours from 11pm Saturday to 6am Sunday.
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Tasman (northwest of Motueka) – 12 hours from 9am to 9pm Sunday.
Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers – 12 hours from 3am to 3pm Sunday.
Ranges of the Westland District – 12 hours from midnight Saturday to noon Sunday.
Headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers – 7 hours from 1am to 8am Sunday.
Fiordland (about and north of Doubtful Sound) – 8 hours from 10pm Saturday to 6am Sunday.
Buller, Spencer Mountains and St Arnaud Range – 11 hours from 7am to 6pm Sunday.
Heavy Rain Watch
Richmond and Bryant ranges, Rai Valley – 14 hours from noon Sunday to 2am Monday.
Strong Wind Watch
South Taranaki, inland and western Whanganui, Taihape – 9 hours from 6am to 3pm Sunday.
Grey District – 5 hours from 6am to 11am Sunday.