Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Snow storms forecast for parts of South Island

Updated at 4:27 am on 10 October 2010

MetService is warning blizzard conditions could once again affect vulnerable farm animals in the south of New Zealand.

The heaviest snowfall of up to 10cm is expected to fall above 300 metres in Fiordland, Southland, Clutha and Dunedin from Sunday morning.

South-west gales are also expected in coastal areas, especially about the coastal hills including the Catlins.

MetService has issued a severe weather watch, saying that the biting winds combined with the snow are likely to produce blizzard conditions, putting extreme stress on vulnerable livestock. It says roads could also be affected.

Snow showers are due to ease on Sunday night and clear on Monday morning.

In September, hundreds of thousands of lambs and large numbers of ewes and calves perished in the extreme snow storms that hit Southland and South Otago.

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