6 May 2009

First big winter storm approaching

2:45 pm on 6 May 2009

MetService says a large low approaching New Zealand may be the first big winter storm of the season.

Forecaster Allister Gorman says Wednesday's bad weather is a precursor to the low which is expected to arrive on Friday.

It is currently forming in the Tasman Sea and is expected to bring heavy rain, snow and gale force southerlies.

Mr Gorman says it is hard to predict just what areas will get the worst of the bad weather, but at this stage the South Island looks as though it will be hardest hit.