HEAVY RAIN & GALES – CWU WARNING IN PLACE.
Issued by Canterbury Weather Updates at 5:30am Saturday morning 13/7/2019
WILD WEATHER MOVING IN FOR THE MAIN DIVIDE & CANTERBURY HIGH COUNTRY.
A succession of active fronts from the Tasman will bring strong to gale northwest winds and torrential rain for the Main Divide & Canterbury Headwaters over the weekend.
Conditions will deteriorate this afternoon as our first moisture laden system makes landfall bringing storm like conditions for the Main Divide & Canterbury Headwaters.
Conditions will gradually ease back Sunday morning before more active fronts bring heavy rain and colder air with lowering snow levels about the Main Divide early next week.
Snow may affect the Lewis and Arthur’s Pass during early stages if next week and we may issued a road snowfall warning over the weekend.
The remains the chance of some colder air and wintry conditions for eastern areas early next week this remains a ever changing and ‘fluid’ situation.
RAIN WARNING.
Areas included.
Main Divide, Canterbury Headwaters and areas within 25km of the Main Divide.
Time Frame.
3pm Saturday afternoon until 9am Sunday.
Warning forecast.
150 to 250mm near the Main Divide/Canterbury Headwaters, and 50 to 70mm spill over within 25km east of the Divide. High intensity falls of 20 to 25 mm/h about the ranges and Main Divide. Thundery falls with snow above 1700m, lowering overnight.
Populated areas in warning.
Arthur’s Pass Village, Mt Cook Village.
Possible implications.
-Avoid our main river systems and recreational activities about the Canterbury High Country over the weekend.
-Flooding, slips and hazardous driving conditions – especially south of Greymouth and in the Arthur’s Pass National Park.
-High freezing levels = larger water catchments. Freezing Levels/Snow levels 1700m + until midnight before lowering.
WIND WARNING.
Area included.
Canterbury High Country & Foothills, Mackenzie Country, Interior. Higher risk and more severe in nature above 700m.
Time Frame.
1pm Saturday until 7am Sunday morning. Winds peaking between 5pm and 11pm.
Warning forecast.
Northwest gales will exceed 80km/hr during this time frame, possibly reaching over 110km/hr about the high country and 140km/hr above 1500m about the ranges.
Populated areas in warning.
Lake Tekapo, Twizel, Mt Cook Village, Castle Hill Village, Mt Lyford Village. Villages and areas about the Canterbury Foothills will experience strong winds, but our warning remains confined to higher elevations.
Possible implications.
-Ski fields closures or restrictions from midday and Sunday.
-Hazardous driving about our alpine passes and through the Interior.
Please remember to source your town pages for specific details; there will be contrast across the region and keep up to date with our ‘Live Weather Feed’ for developments.
CWU Warning will be updated around 5pm Saturday evening.
© NZ Regional Weather Updates.
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