MetService forecaster Tuporo Marsters said yesterday’s weather was wet and wild, with winds gusting up to 130kmh in Otago Harbour and up to 167kmh at Lamb Hill.
He said today’s weather would be relatively dry and warm again, but it was really just the calm before another storm later tomorrow.
"An active front is expected to move northeast over the South Island, followed by cold southwesterlies that may bring showers and snow to low levels for inland Otago and Southland.
"While warning amounts of snow are unlikely, the bitterly cold winds and snow may bring stress to livestock, and roads may also be affected."
He said there was a likelihood that rainfall accumulations would meet warning criteria over Buller, Westland, Fiordland and about the headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers, and there was a possibility it could happen in Southland too.
There was also a possibility that severe northwesterly gales would return and affect parts of Fiordland, Southland and Otago.
"It might be a good idea to secure anything that might take flight in the wind, like trampolines and wheelie bins."
Despite the frigid weather forecast, it was not expected to be as cold as the polar blast that hit the southern region last week, Mr Marsters said.
Cold and showery southwesterlies are expected to linger over the South Island on Friday, but by the weekend an area of high pressure from the Tasman Sea is expected to bring more settled weather, he said.
