SEVERE WEATHER WARNING.
ISSUED BY MetService AT 8:57 am 30-Jul-2016
Severe westerly gales for parts of the North Island. Heavy rain for the Tararua Range. Heavy snow for Taumarunui, Taihape, Fiordland and Southland.
On Saturday, a cold front moves rapidly north over the country, bringing westerly gales to parts of the North Island, followed by colder conditions about the lower South Island, with snow to low levels.
Severe westerly gales are expected to return to central Hawkes Bay and the Tararua District for a time Saturday evening and Sunday morning, gusting 120km/h in exposed places.
Heavy rain is expected to affect the Tararua Range during Saturday, with up to 90mm likely over a 9 hour period.
In addition, heavy snow is expected about Fiordland and Southland from Saturday evening to Sunday morning, with 10 to 20cm expected above 200 metres. Please note, that Taumarunui and Taihape has now been added to this warning, with about 10cm of snow likely to accumulate above 700 metres during Sunday morning.
Note, that heavy snow can cause major distruption to traffic, with blizzard conditions likely in exposed areas.