A forecast storm is expected to bring heavy rain, snow, and gales to the South Island this evening.
The low pressure system is approaching New Zealand from the Tasman. Photo: MetService
The West Coast, Otago, Canterbury and Fiordland are expected to bear the brunt of the storm, while an associated cold front moves eastwards across the North Island.
Our hi-res model captures the powerful low that will move onto the South Island late Tues- heavy rain, strong winds, high elevation snow! pic.twitter.com/2fVAWxoafZ
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) November 6, 2017
MetService said the intense subtropical low would hit the West Coast in Fiordland about midday, Westland about 4pm, and Otago and Canterbury this evening.
"An intense low is forecast to move onto the South Island Tuesday evening, then to move away to the southeast early Wednesday morning while an associated cold front moves eastwards across the North Island. This significant storm is expected to bring heavy rain to parts of the South Island, and widespread northwesterly gales to the South Island and lower North Island."
Heavy rain is expected in Westland, Fiordland and the headwaters of Canterbury and Otago, with the heaviest falls expected about the ranges of Westland, where 120 to 180mm of rain could accumulate on Tuesday afternoon and overnight.
Severe gales are forecast for Taranaki south, Whanganui, Manawatu, Kapiti, Wellington, Wairarapa, Marlborough, the Canterbury plains and the high country. Some snow is expected at higher elevations.
MetService has issued a road snow warning for this evening for the Lindis Pass, State Highway 8 in the South Island, the Crown Range Rd between Queenstown and Wanaka, and SH94 from Te Anau to Milford.
Enjoy the relative calm over NZ 2day as a significant low set to cross the South Island tomoro bringing severe winds, rain & snow. ^AC pic.twitter.com/aGIHz5DFUh
— MetService (@MetService) November 5, 2017
Satellite images show the subtropical low pressure system forming over the Tasman.
