5 Jul 2017

Chilly month ahead as flooding hits the south

7:22 am on 5 July 2017

Heavy rain has caused flooding in Otago and the Pomahaka River, northwest of Balclutha, has reached warning level.

Frost covers a car's windshield on a cold winter morning (file photo)

Photo: 123RF

Clutha District Council said there was flooding on Back Road, Toko Mouth and Elliotvale Road in Milton.

MetService said the rain was easing and would completely clear tomorrow morning.

Temperatures around the country dipped below zero overnight and into the early morning, the forecaster said.

Its monthly outlook said July was expected to be colder than usual in the first half of the month, while the West Coast and the area between Wellington and Whanganui was expected to be less wet and unsettled than usual.

The rain was also expected to be more changable throughout the month, with totals expected to be fairly normal but all delivered in shorter bursts followed dry periods.

It follows a month of higher-than-usual pressure, with intense highs producing fog and frost during June.

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