Heavy rain and strong, damaging winds of up to 160km/h have been forecast for parts of the South Island as a front brings unsettled weather from today.
MetService has issued a red alert, warning of severe and destructive northwesterly gales for the Canterbury High Country and foothills from 1pm today until 6pm tomorrow.
Gusts of up to 160km/h in exposed places are forecast.
Fire and Emergency NZ is warning people to prepare now for the severe gales.
Transport and power networks are likely to be significantly affected, with road closures and power outages likely, says MetService meteorologist Hordur Thordarson.
The remainder of the eastern South Island is currently under an orange warning, including the Canterbury Plains and Christchurch, which could also see damaging gales tonight into tomorrow morning.
