Threats of Wind and Rain

News Release from MetService Issued at 11:35am 09-Feb-2004

Threats of Wind and Rain

MetService meteorologists have issued weather warnings for heavy rain and severe northwest gales to affect parts of the country tonight and during Tuesday.

"A low is deepening in the south Tasman Sea," commented MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt. "This is enhancing the impact of a cold front as it moves onto the South Island."

The MetService warning anticipates between 100 and 200mm of rain for Fiordland and Westland ranges with significant spillover into the headwaters of lakes and rivers of Otago and Canterbury. Northwest wind gusts in excess of 120 km/hr are likely this evening in exposed inland parts of Otago and Southland and overnight in exposed inland parts of Canterbury. For exposed parts of Marlborough, Wellington and southern Wairarapa the northwest wind gusts are expected to peak on Tuesday morning.

These conditions pose potentially hazardous tramping and driving conditions, including rapidly rising rivers and wind-blown debris.

ENDS

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