Significant winter storm batters South Island with heavy snow and rain
A major winter storm brought heavy snow, rain and flooding to the South Island from midweek, closing highways and forcing evacuations in Queenstown before moving north.
A significant winter storm swept across the South Island from Wednesday, bringing heavy rain to the West Coast and snow down to 400 metres on inland passes. The prolonged rainfall and snow triggered highway closures, avalanche warnings, and flooding in Queenstown that forced residents to evacuate overnight. The weather system subsequently moved north, bringing heavy rain watches to the upper North Island over the weekend.
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Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.
What outlets are saying
Stuff
âSignificant winter stormâ this week threatens travel disruptions
Heavy snow down to 400m and heavy rain could close alpine passes and disrupt key southern highways from Wednesday night.
NZ Herald
South Island winter storm: Heavy rain and snow forecast from Wednesday
NZTA urges motorists to prepare as cold conditions threaten travel.
Newstalk ZB
South Island winter storm: Heavy rain and snow forecast from Wednesday
A âsignificant winter stormâ could wreak havoc on New Zealand roads, with it expected to reach the country midweek.
1News
'Significant winter storm' to stall over South Island from midweek
Days of prolonged rain will swell West Coast rivers before heavy snow closes in on inland passes later in the week.
RNZ
South Island braces for winter storm with snow and heavy rain on the way
From Wednesday on, the South Island will experience a severe weather event, MetService says.
Otago Daily Times
âSignificantâ winter storm to bring heavy snow to parts of Otago and Canterbury
NZ Herald
Winter storm looms: Heavy snow and rain forecast across South Island
A 36-hour heavy rain watch is in place as a significant winter storm bears down.
Otago Daily Times
Winter is nowhere near finished in the South
Newstalk ZB
Winter storm looms: Heavy snow and rain forecast across South Island
A âmixed bagâ of weather is in store across the country today, with three South Island centres forecast to climb to 20C or higher before a âsignificantâ winter storm sweeps in.
Stuff
Winter storm to hammer the South with heavy snow, rain and possible road closures
The West Coast is beginning to see rain, heavy at times, which is going to persist as the weather system pushes closer to us.
RNZ
Heavy rain and snow on way for South Island
A slow moving front will bring a prolonged period of heavy rain from midday Wednesday.
1News
South Island storm warnings issued as up to 500mm of rain forecast
A slow-moving system is set to dump up to 500mm of rain on the West Coast, while heavy snow threatens inland Canterbury and Otago.
RNZ
West Coast in for a lashing of heavy rain over next three days
Other parts of the South Island won't get off lightly, with a cold snap bringing heavy snow to the Canterbury High Country until Friday morning.
Stuff
Heavy rain, snow on the way as winter storm closes in
The West Coast is first in line for days of heavy rain, before a cold snap brings snow to inland Canterbury and Otago and threatens travel on alpine roads.
1News
West Coast in the firing line as winter storm parks over the South
Heavy rain warnings have extended up the West Coast as a "significant winter storm" grinds to a halt over the South Island today.
Stuff
South Island lashed by heavy rain as snow hits alpine roads
Up to 350mm of rain is forecast for parts of the West Coast, while snow could fall to 400 metres and make travel difficult across several alpine roads.
NZ Herald
Weather: Snow closes roads as significant winter storm hits South Island
Snow is falling over inland Canterbury and central Otago, and all alpine road passes.
RNZ
Weather: Highways closed as rain and snow trigger warnings
There are highway closures in the South Island as a storm sets in, bringing heavy rain and snow.
1News
Snow closes Canterbury highway as winter storm hits
A "prolonged period of heavy rain" turning into heavy snow is forecast for the south.
RNZ
Weather live: Highways closed as rain and snow trigger warnings
Severe weather conditions have forced the closure of highways, with motorists urged to reconsider travel.
1News
Snow closes Canterbury highway, avalanche warning issued
Heavy snow, rockfalls and avalanche risk are disrupting travel across the South Island, with forecasters warning of more heavy rain and snow to come.
1News
Winter storm shuts South Island highways, avalanche risk climbs
Heavy snow, rockfalls and avalanche risk are disrupting travel across the South Island, with forecasters warning of more heavy rain and snow to come.
RNZ
Heavy snow closes highways, triggers severe avalanche warnings in South Island
Severe weather conditions have forced the closure of highways, with motorists urged to reconsider travel.
NZ Herald
Weather live updates: Flooding in Queenstown, evacuations as winter storm hits South Island
Heavy rain also brings concerns over land stability in the region.
RNZ
Wet weekend in store for Northland, Auckland; worst over for South Island
A winter storm that has delivered snowfalls and heavy rain in the south is starting to track north.
Newstalk ZB
Weather live updates: Flooding in Queenstown, evacuations as winter storm hits South Island
Residents have been evacuated from homes in Queenstown overnight amid concerns about land stability as a deluge hit the town and surrounding areas.
1News
Homes evacuated after heavy rain in Queenstown overnight
A complex low and frontal system has been making its way over the South Island, bringing long periods of heavy rain.
Otago Daily Times
Challenging conditions in Queenstown Lakes region after storm
RNZ
Queenstown residents evacuated as flooding, slips threaten homes
Firefighters were called out to properties throughout Central Otago overnight.
1News
Flooding hits Queenstown, rain set to batter upper-North Island
A period of heavy rain is expected for Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel, and Bay of Plenty tomorrow.
Stuff
Heavy rain heading for upper North Island as front moves up NZ
It has been wet and windy in the South Island but now the rain is set to reach into the northern and eastern parts of the North Island over the weekend.
NZ Herald
Auckland weather: Heavy rain forecast as two rain bands merge over upper North Island
Heavy rain watches are in place for Auckland and much of the upper North Island.
Newstalk ZB
Auckland weather: Heavy rain forecast as two rain bands merge over upper North Island
Aucklanders are in for a wet Saturday as a âbig swirling mass of rainâ descends on the upper North Island.
1News
Heavy rain forecast as low-pressure system drops on upper North-Island
Several rain watches are in place for northern parts of the country.
RNZ
Heavy rain for upper North Island, avalanche risk ongoing for South Island
MetService has issued heavy rain watches Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and the Bay of Plenty.
Otago Daily Times
Avalanche risk ongoing for South as storm moves on
RNZ
Milford road closes ahead of forecast snow
MetService has issued road snowfall warnings for the Crown Range Road, Lindis Pass and Arhurs Pass.