Severe stormy conditions are bringing gales, heavy downpours and snow to the country for the next two days, with the South Island in the immediate firing line before it sweeps north.

Temperatures are forecast to plunge by 15C for southern regions over six hours this afternoon. Snowfall warnings have been issued for three mountain highways in the Southern Alps.

There are 10 weather warnings and watches active until Friday night, with MetService warning of gusts up to 120km/h and rainfall of 130mm around Canterbury and the West Coast.

Auckland and other northern areas will get a dousing tomorrow before fine weather sets in again in time for the start of the school holidays. Heavy rain is forecast for the city for Friday morning before it turns to partly cloudy in the afternoon.

MetService said the heaviest rain was expected in the ranges of Westland, Buller and the headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers today.

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said, “most, if not all, of the South Island will see some rain by the end of Thursday, and the same for the North Island on Friday.

“Many areas should expect a period of continuous rain as the system passes, followed by drier spells mixed with a few passing showers. However, for Southland and Clutha, there may be periods of heavier showers on Friday morning,” she said.

An orange heavy rain warning is in place for the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers, the ranges of the Westland District until 7pm today. MetService said 130mm of rain was possible, with up to 30mm of rainfall in an hour expected in the afternoon.

An orange strong wind warning is also in place for the Canterbury High Country until 7pm, with wind speeds up to 120km/h expected in exposed areas. This could damage trees, down powerlines, and disturb unsecured structures, as well as make driving difficult for high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists.

MetService also issued a heavy rain watch for the ranges of the Buller and Grey Districts, until midnight tonight; for the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers until 2pm today; and a watch for Fiordland lapsed at 10am today.

A strong wind watch has been issued for Wellington, Wairarapa and Marlborough from 5pm today until 4am tomorrow. The Lindis Pass (State Highway 8), Crown Range Rd and Milford Rd (SH94) are under road snowfall warnings until 5pm tomorrow.

MetService said snowfall was expected to reach as low as 200m in Southland and Clutha.

As the school holidays start, though, better weather should set in. MetService said “much of the country can expect a mix of partly cloudy and sunny weather” through the first weekend of the holidays.

“It seems the weekend looks to bring a stretch of more settled weather, which could last into mid-next week before the next weather system,” Makgabutlane said.

This should provide plenty of opportunities for families to get out and enjoy the start of the school holidays. And for the rest of us, it’s a chance to soak up the extra daylight hours after the clocks go forward on Sunday.”

Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.

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