Southlanders are being urged to brace themselves for stormy weather tomorrow as a deep low passes over the South Island.
MetService meteorologist Surprise Mhlongo said temperatures would remain relatively warm at 18°C in Invercargill, but a trough was expected to move northwards on to the south coast late tomorrow morning, before continuing up the country.
He said the trough contained a small but deep low, bringing strong winds to southern and eastern coastal areas, and possibly brief heavy rain to Southland.
"There is moderate confidence that a warning will be required for severe south to southwest gales during the second half of the day about coastal parts of southern Fiordland and Southland."
He urged southern residents to tie down anything that may be picked up by the wind, clear spoutings and gutters, and keep a close eye on updates to the forecast.
He said it was also possible a warning may be needed for the coastal Otago area.
The trough and low were expected to move northwards through central parts of the country, and would be followed by a ridge.
There was a possibility a warning would be issued for severe south to southwest gales from coastal Dunedin, northwards through North Otago.
The trough would then clear and a high-pressure system would move over the South Island, he said.
