Snow around the Homer Tunnel in Fiordland (file). Photo: Supplied
Large parts of the South Island are in for heavy rain with snow in some areas over the next two days.
Drivers are also being warned about snow on Milford Road (SH94), Crown Range Road and Lindis Pass (SH58).
Mōrena, good morning
— MetService (@MetService) July 28, 2024
️Parts of the South Island are waking up to a wet morning, and some spots in the North Island are already seeing a few showers
☔️This wet weather will extend to more areas of the North Island throughout the day, so keep those umbrellas close by pic.twitter.com/6EyMIRt97H
MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said a large weather system is bringing a lot of rain to eastern Southland in particular, along with a risk of widespread snow in the southern parts of the South Island.
"With the system moving in it is bringing in that rain first, however we have already seen some snow already turning up at Homer Tunnel, though that is quite elevated," Ferris said.
"It is through into Tuesday that we expect that snow to fall lower as cooler air moves in and that will affect southern parts of the South Island."
⚠❄Road Snowfall Warning Update❄⚠
— MetService (@MetService) July 28, 2024
Tomorrow's weather event is also accompanied by a risk of snow accumulating on the roads
Road Snowfall warnings have been issued for Milford Road (SH94), Crown Range Road, and Lindis Pass (SH58) pic.twitter.com/2L3kc4oXw8
MetService said Milford Road could get 3 to 6cm of snow today. Inland areas of Otago, Southland and Fiordland could get period of heavy snow above 800m with snow expected down to 300 to 500m on Monday night through to Tuesday morning.
Ferris said there was also an orange heavy rain warning for Tasman, north of Motueka, from 10am Monday.
There is also an orange heavy rain warning in place for North Otago, Dunedin and Clutha.
People are warned that streams and rivers may rise rapidly, and there is a risk of surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions.
SH1 DESERT RD - STRONG WINDS - 9:55AM
— NZ Transport Agency - Central North Island (@nztacni) July 28, 2024
A strong wind warning is in place between Rangipo and Waiouru. Please take extra care especially if you are in a lighter or high-sided vehicle or riding a motorcycle. ^JP pic.twitter.com/55AthHk9Zy
Meanwhile, there is also a strong wind warning for the central North Island, with drivers of lighter or high-sided vehicles and motorcycle riders between Rangipo and Waiouru advised to take extra care.
