Otago Regional Council staff have been activated and will be on duty over Labour Weekend, monitoring streams, rivers and lake levels across the region and updating relevant councils about any forecast flooding concerns.
Expectations of heavy rainfall and the possibility of "unseasonable snow" to lower levels across Otago today has prompted the ORC to reiterate MetService’s call to be prepared.
ORC science and resilience general manager Tom Dyer said a weather front heading north up the West Coast was expected to loop over the Southern Alps and come back down into Central Otago, North Otago and possibly coastal areas, from noon today through to a peak about midnight tonight.
"While the weather has been relatively benign around most of Otago for the past few days, heavy rain is expected, which could cause ponding or minor surface flooding in some areas.
A MetService heavy snow warning remains in place until 9pm Saturday for the Queenstown Lakes District and Central Otago.
As much as 20-40cm of snow is expected to fall above 600m, with lesser amounts down to 400m. Considerably more snow is expected to fall at higher elevations. In addition, rain is forecast to be heavy at times below the snow level.
Alexandra was looking wintery this morning as snow fell and began to settle on the ground.
Sergeant Darren Kidd, of Alexandra, said there had not yet been any problems due to the weather.Snow was settling in a lot of areas and driving behaviour had been pretty good so far.
Rain in Otago today is expected to total 30mm-50mm, falling "steadily" at about 5mm per hour.Mr Dyer said that itself was unlikely to trigger alerts, but the still sodden ground from the flooding on October 3-6 in coastal Otago and some areas inland was the concern.
If travelling today, drivers were likely to experience deteriorating conditions and should consider carrying snow chains, with possible disruptions to their journeys.
While most southern rivers had already peaked during the past 36 hours from the first front, the second front today could again see rivers and streams rise, which could pose dangers for people looking to ford waterways.
"If in any doubt, don’t attempt to cross swollen rivers."
He suggested the rural sector should be considering plans to potentially move stock from low lying areas, and how they could be fed.
He urged anyone with concerns to visit ORC’s Environment Data Portal on the front page of ORC’s website for up-to-date tracking of river levels.MetService forecast in North Otago and Dunedin was for heavy rain at times for the 15 hours from 9am today to midnight, and there was a likelihood the situation would be upgraded to a warning.
In Queenstown Lakes District, during the 18 hours from 6am today to midnight, there would be periods of heavy rain with amounts approaching warning criteria.
MetService said the rain was likely to fall as heavy snow above 600m, and a heavy snow warning was in place for the Queenstown Lakes District and Central Otago.
In Fiordland, from 8am today to 7am tomorrow, southeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places, and there was a likelihood it could be upgraded to a warning.
Drivers on the West Coast are being warned to limit travel to essential trips only, with widespread heavy rain, strong winds and snow creating hazardous conditions.Snow has closed State Highway 73 between Springfield at Otira.
And State Highway 7 between Stillwater and Greymouth is closed due to flooding.
The Transport Agency says the flooding is widespread across the West Coast's highway network and has caused trees to fall and slips.
Road snowfall warnings
Arthurs Pass (SH73)
Valid: 9 hours from 10:00am Sat 26 Oct to 7:00pm Sat 26 Oct
Forecast: Another 10 to 20 cm may accumulate on the road above 600 metres this afternoon and evening with lesser amounts lower down.
Porters Pass (SH73)
Valid: 9 hours from 10:00am Sat 26 Oct to 7:00pm Sat 26 Oct
Forecast: Another 5 to 15 cm may accumulate on the road above 600 metres this afternoon and evening with lesser amounts lower down.
Haast Pass (SH6)
Valid: 8 hours from 10:00am Sat 26 Oct to 6:00pm Sat 26 Oct
Forecast: Snow is possible about the road, mainly on the Otago side. 3 to 8 cm may accumulate on the road above 500 metres with lesser amounts lower down.
Lindis Pass (SH8)
Valid: 32 hours from 10:00am Sat 26 Oct to 6:00pm Sun 27 Oct
Forecast: Another 10 to 15 cm may accumulate on the road until tonight above 400 metres with lesser amounts lower down. Another brief period of snow is possible Sunday morning.
Crown Range Road
Valid: 14 hours from 10:00am Sat 26 Oct to 12:00am Sun 27 Oct
Forecast: Another 10 to 15 cm may accumulate about the road until tonight.
Milford Road (SH94)
Valid: 14 hours from 10:00am Sat 26 Oct to 12:00am Sun 27 Oct
Forecast: Snow expected on the road until tonight. 10 to 15 cm may accumulate on the road above 500 metres with lesser amounts lower down.
