Source: MetService
Covering period of Saturday 20th – Sunday 21st September – At 9:58am MetService escalated the severe weather warning in the Canterbury High Country to a Red Warning for Damaging Winds in consultation with the Canterbury Regional Council.
MetService Red Warnings are reserved for the most extreme weather events where significant impact and disruption is expected.
The escalation to a Red Warning comes as the South Island prepares for the arrival of an active front with very strong and damaging northwesterly winds, as well as heavy rain.
The Red Warning is in place from 10pm tonight (Saturday) to 3pm on Sunday during which severe gales with speeds of 150 km/h are possible in exposed areas.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane says, “Destructive winds are expected to cause widespread damage, including to roofs, powerlines and may impact on power supply. Falling trees may threaten life and property. The winds will also create dangerous driving conditions and disruption to transport. Travellers, especially as school holidays get going, are advised to plan for potential disruptions.”
“A Red Warning signifies that people need to act now as immediate action is required to protect people, animals and property from the impact of the weather. People should also be prepared to follow the advice of official authorities and emergency services.”
This is the third Red Warning MetService has issued this year, and it’s the 18thRed Warning weather event since the highest alert level was introduced back in May 2019.
The strong winds are not confined to the Canterbury High Country. Nearly all of the South Island is under Orange Warning for Strong Winds late Saturday to Sunday, with winds of 120 km/h possible in exposed areas. In the North Island, Wellington is also under an Orange Warning for Strong Winds.
In addition, heavy rain is expected along western parts of the South Island, as well as the headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers where Orange Warnings for Heavy Rain are in place.
Details of the Severe Weather Warnings and Watches can be found on the MetService app or on our webpage: https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home.
MetService also now provides push notifications for Red Severe Weather Warnings via our app. More information can be found here about enabling them.
