MetService said an active front will bring heavy rain, gales — and, potentially, more heavy snow — across central and southern New Zealand in the coming days.
Interislander has cancelled all sailings from Tuesday night until Thursday as heavy 4m-6m swells are expected in Cook Strait.
Sailings of the Kaitaki — the sole ferry in service —have been cancelled from 8.30pm on Tuesday.
“We are not anticipating Kaitaki returning to service before the 8.45am sailing on Thursday, July 4, unless there is a significant improvement in the weather,” a spokesperson said.
Affected passengers were being contacted directly.
Private operator Bluebridge has also issued a weather alert for a “possible sailing disruption”.
“We are monitoring the forecast closely and will update this alert, and advise customers directly via text and email, if sailings are impacted during this time,” a spokesperson said.
MetService said a south-to-southwest flow would affect the country on Wednesday and Thursday.
Meanwhile, the weather has produced heavy snowfall across Central Otago and the MacKenzie Basin, which MetService said could fall as low as 800m.
Around 500mm of snowfall at Cardrona has turned the resort into a “winter wonderland”, staff said.
Cardrona and Treble Cone general manager Laura Hedly said the snowfall was a “game-changer” for the mountains.
“Both Cardrona and Treble Cone will be looking to open more terrain off the back of this week’s storm, and we’re hyped to have a solid base to build the rest of the season from.”
