23 Jul 2009

Gales, rain buffeting the country

8:11 pm on 23 July 2009

Rain and gale force winds are forecast for much of the country on Thursday as a weather front moves northeast.

Strong gales are expected in parts of the North Island, which, combined with wet weather could make trees susceptible to toppling.

Severe weather forecaster Ian Miller says says driving conditions will be dangerous, especially for motorcycles and high vehicles.

Heavy thundery rain has eased in Fiordland and the Otago headwaters, but up to 100mm of rain is expected near the ranges of Westland, Buller, northwest Nelson and the Richmond Range and significant spillover into the Canterbury headwaters is expected.

Further north, up to 150mm is expected on high ground from Taranaki to the Tararua Ranges, in Waikato hill country and eastern Bay of Plenty.

MetService says it is rare for it to issue a severe weather warning for such a large area.

Some areas will experience cold southerly conditions following Thursday's wild weather, with snow showers expectec to low levels in Southland, Otago, Canterbury and Wairarapa.