11 Jul 2011

Turbulent weather forecast

3:06 pm on 11 July 2011

MetService has issued a series of weather warnings about a front which is expected to bring heavy rain and high winds to much of the country this week.

Forecaster Matthew Ford says the rain will affect the west coast of both islands, with rain warnings in place from Fiordland to Taranaki, as well as Whanganui and the Tongariro area.

He says high winds are also expected from Southland through to Taranaki and Hawke's Bay, while temperatures will plummet, bringing snow to low levels in the deep south.

MetService had a severe thunder watch in place from Waitomo to Kapiti and the West Coast of the South Island for Monday. It says thunder in the north has eased, but there is still activity in the south.

Early on Monday, police asked drivers to use extreme care when travelling over the Rimutaka Hill Road between Wairarapa and Hutt Valley.

High winds and strong gusts have been reported although the state highway remained open.

Wellington Electricity Lines said a transformer exploded in Lower Hutt because of severe weather conditions, affecting Lower Hutt, Silverstream and Titahi Bay. It said power was restored to all but a few streets in Titahi Bay by late Monday morning.