A huge storm is expected to slam New Zealand this weekend causing heavy rain, gale force winds and a powerful antarctic blast.
NIWA is encouraging Kiwis to get out and enjoy the beautiful sunshine on Saturday, before the weather turns to freezing winter temperatures.
Aotearoa will be battered by a rapidly forming storm, caused by a low creeping in from across the Tasman. Between Saturday evening and Monday, central air pressure will drop, producing gale force winds, snow, heavy rain, and freezing temperatures.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is bracing for the impact of the storm on the Auckland Harbour Bridge and says high winds may lead to a closure.
"Closures may happen at very short notice. That may cause inconvenience and disruption, but safety comes first," NZTA says.
The front is predicted to hit the city on Sunday with Southland expected to bear the brunt of it.
There are 11 warnings and watches in place for the region and snow is expected to fall at sea level.
Motorists are urged to drive carefully and Metservice has placed snowfall warnings on four roads across the South Island:
- Crown Range Rd from Sunday 11am to monday 2pm
- Haast Pass from Sunday 12pm to Monday 9am
- Lindis Pass from Sunday 5pm to Monday 6pm
- Milford Rd from Sunday 7am to Tuesday 6am
Weatherwatch says Southland is also likely to experience temperatures that feel like below zero starting Sunday night and not lifting until Wednesday.
Invercargill will reach a daytime high of just 4C on Tuesday while Gore experiences snow and a high of only 2C and Lumsden will just hit 1C.
In the North Island temperatures won't be so bitter with Auckland and Hamilton staying in the mid teens from Sunday to Wednesday and Wellington and Wairarapa sitting in the early teens.
Along with chilly temperatures and snow, Metservice says the low will also deliver high winds.
Strong wind warnings are in place for the following regions:
- South Taranaki can expect Northwest gales reaching 120kmph
- Gisborne and Hawkes Bay can expect gales of up to 120kmph
- Wellington and Wairarapa is forecast to reach gales of 130kmph
- Malbourogh, Buller and Westland will reach 120kmph
- Canterbury High Country will reach 130kmph
Metservice meteorologist Rob Kerr says the storm will hit all across the country and Kiwis should keep an eye out for warnings.
"It's a significant event right across the country we're expecting a lot more warnings and watches to be issued and current warnings can be updated."
A full list of Metservice warnings and watches can be found here and will be updated throughout the weekend and into next week as the storm continues to take effect.
