Snow and bitterly cold gales are expected along coastal Otago today as the next southwesterly flow "scoots" up the coast, MetService says.
A weather watch was issued yesterday, saying the gales could become severe about the coast for a time tonight, with significant snowfalls possible in parts of Southland and the Clutha district.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) was warning motorists last night to take care on many of Otago and Southland's roads including State Highway 1, Waihola to Gore, due to high winds, and from Edendale to Invercargill on the same highway, due to snow.
Forecaster Rob Kerr said due to the large system affecting the country, a front was coming through every 24 hours.
In Dunedin, snow down to 400m was expected late this afternoon, with showers and strong winds throughout most of the day as the front "scooted up the coast", he said.
In Central Otago and North Otago, snow was expected to fall only to 600m.
Yesterday's front brought high winds, light snow to hill suburbs and cool temperatures to Dunedin and along the South Otago coast.
The highest average wind speed recorded was at Swampy Summit, with 115kmh. At Dunedin airport, gale-force winds of 75kmh were recorded. In the city, 55kmh was recorded and at Taiaroa Head, 90kmh.
At Balclutha, 30kmh average winds and a temperature of 6degC were recorded yesterday morning.
Temperatures barely reached double figures throughout the region. The Dunedin high was 7.9degC.
The wind yesterday caused branches to fall on powerlines, cutting power to homes in Brighton and East Taieri from 2.30am to 10am.
A boat also came loose from its mooring at Deborah Bay on Otago Peninsula yesterday morning. Members of Coast Guard Dunedin towed the boat, which got stuck on a sand bar, back to the wharf at the bay.
State Highway 87 from Outram to Middlemarch was opened at 9.30am yesterday but NZTA warned extreme care was still needed due to snow and ice.
Warnings were also in place for SH90, from Raes Junction to SH1, due to wind, SH94, Te Anau to Milford, due to avalanche risk, and the roads from Invercargill to Winton and around Lorneville.
