MetService says gusts of up to 150km/h are possible in exposed places.
Photo: Supplied/MetService
The Canterbury region is under a red wind warning as severe gale-force winds move in on much of the South Island.
A red strong wind warning has been issued about and west of the foothills and west of State Highway 1, south of the Rakaia River.
The red warning is in place from 10pm Saturday until 3pm on Sunday.
Meteorologist Michael Pawley said severe gale northwesterlies were expected to reach 150km/h in exposed places.
“There is a threat to life from flying items and falling trees.We’re expecting destructive winds to cause widespread damage, including to power lines and roofs, with dangerous driving conditions and significant disruption to transport and power supply.”
Pawley said most of the South Island had been upgraded to orange strong wind warnings with gusts of 120km/h expected in exposed places.
MetService advised people to avoid travel, stay indoors and prepare for power and communication outages.
Watch a video explaining the MetService’s weather warning system:
An orange heavy rain warning will also be in force for 12 hours from 3am Sunday.
“An active front, preceded by a strong north to northwest flow, moves northeast over the South Island during Sunday then becomes slow moving over central New Zealand late Sunday,” MetService said on Saturday morning.
“Warnings and watches for heavy rain and strong winds are in force for much of southern and central New Zealand, including a red Warning for severe northwest gales for parts of inland Canterbury.”
A Red Strong Wind Warning has been issued for Canterbury about and west of the foothills, also west of SH1 south of the Rakaia River from 10pm tonight (Saturday) until 3pm on Sunday.
Damaging gusts of 150 km/h are expected in exposed places, causing threat to life from flying… pic.twitter.com/of05JwvZFW
— MetService (@MetService) September 19, 2025
Strong wind watches are in place for Southland, Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago, Marlborough excluding the Sounds and the Westland District from late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
South Taranaki, western Whanganui, Taihape and the Grey District have strong wind watches in place from 6am Sunday.
A heavy rain watch is in place for the Richmond and Bryant ranges and the Rai Valley from 12pm Sunday.
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