18 Jul 2017

More bad weather ahead

From Morning Report, 7:36 am on 18 July 2017

More wild weather is on the way, bringing the second major soaking in strong winds to parts of the country in two weeks.

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Photo: 123rf

Another winter storm is coming after the country took a battering last week, with snow, heavy rains and strong winds causing widespread flooding and serious disruption to school holiday travel plans.

About 800 properties remain without power in the lower North Island, and more heavy rain, winds and snow are forecast for many parts of the country towards the end of the week.

NIWA meterologist Chris Brandolino told Morning Report the rain would be heaviest in eastern Bay of Plenty and Gisborne, with strong wind gusts and "unseasonably mild" temperatures for this time of year.

"We're talking a month's worth of rain or more in a day, and above 500m probably falling as snow."

Wind gusts of up to 120km/h were also possible for the east coast of the South Island, Mr Brandolino said.

And the warmer temperatures and rain meant a lot of the snow that fell last week would be melted off, he said.

MetService said snow was expected down to 400m in Otago and Canterbury on Friday and over the weekend.