9 Mar 2024

Strong winds for lower South Island could reach 120km/h on Sunday

11:59 am on 9 March 2024
A woman has difficulty holding an umbrella from strong winds in rainy weather.

File photo. Photo: 123RF

MetService has issued warnings and watches for the South Island on Sunday, with gale force winds to sweep through the lower half.

Exposed areas in Clutha, Southland and Stewart Island have been given an orange strong wind warning, with powerful northwesterlies gusting up to 120km/h forecast from 4pm Sunday until early in the morning on Monday.

Meanwhile, there was also an orange heavy rain warning for Fiordland for 12 hours from 8pm on Sunday.

MetService said the region could receive up to 110mm of rain with peak rates of 20 to 30mm/h expected.

There were strong wind watches for Otago excluding Clutha, Fiordland and south of Charles Sound, Canterbury, and in the North Island, Wairarapa and north of Masterton, including Tararua District.

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