Strong wind and rain watches are in place for parts of the South Island and lower North Island as the weekend approaches.<\/p>\n
MetService meteorologist John Law said “some wetter, windier weather” is moving back across Aotearoa on Thursday.<\/p>\n
As it moved up, the western side of the South Island was as risk of thunderstorms.<\/p>\n
By the end of Thursday, Law said the wet weather would make its way up to the North Island.<\/p>\n
Along with the wet, there would be strong winds around areas including Canterbury high country and Wellington.<\/p>\n
Friday would see “strong southerly winds for the south as well,” Law said.<\/p>\n
A heavy rain watch is in place for the Tararua Range from midnight Thursday until noon on Friday.<\/p>\n
Periods of heavy rain were expected with the possibility of amounts approaching warning criteria.<\/p>\n
MetService said there was a moderate change the watch would be upgraded to a warning.<\/p>\n
Strong wind watches have been issued for Wellington, Canterbury high country, Christchurch, Banks Peninsula and the Canterbury Plains, coastal Otago and coastal Southland and southern Fiordland.<\/p>\n
Wellington’s watch was in place from 7pm Thursday until 2am Friday.<\/p>\n
Canterbury high country’s watch was already in place, and was due to end at 6pm.<\/p>\n
The watch for Christchurch, Banks Peninsula and the Canterbury Plains is in place from 6pm to midnight Friday.<\/p>\n
Coastal Otago’s kicks in from noon Friday until 9pm, while the watch for coastal Southland and southern Fiordland is from 9am until 6pm Friday.<\/p>\n
MetService said for all watches, winds could approach severe gales in exposed areas.<\/p>\n
All watches had a moderate change of being upgraded to warnings.<\/p>\n
“Those driving in gale-force winds are urged to take extra care, especially those operating high-sided vehicles, towing vehicles and motorcycles,” MetService said.<\/p>\n
The wet and windy weather follows chilling temperatures across the country.<\/p>\n
In the South Island, the Mount Cook \/ Pukaki area registered a freezing -7C early on Monday morning<\/a>.<\/p>\n Shortly after 7am, Twizel was still shivering at -7.5C, the MetService site recorded.<\/p>\n