South spared worst of wild weather

Otago and Southland were mostly spared the worst of the winter storm which closed roads and lit up the night sky further north at the weekend.

A cold southeasterly flow brought snow and heavy rain to parts of Otago, including the hills around Dunedin, from Saturday morning to yesterday afternoon.

MetService Oamaru Airport recorded more than 82mm of rain over the two days, double what it usually receives during August.

More than 40mm of rain was recorded in Dunedin.

Deep surface flooding meant police advised motorists to avoid travelling over the Waitaki Bridge - about 4km north of the airport - if possible last night.

Snow fell on the hills around Dunedin as well as parts of Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes on Saturday.

The heaviest falls were further north. Arthur's Pass was cut off for a short time when State Highway 7 both east and west of the town was closed on Saturday.

State Highway 87 between Kyeburn and Middlemarch was closed on Saturday night but reopened early yesterday.

Road snowfall warnings were still in place last night for the Lewis (SH7), Arthur's and Porters passes (SH73).

MetService meteorologist Peter Little said heavy rain over North Otago and Dunedin had eased by late yesterday morning.

A serve thunderstorm watch was issued for the northern part of the North Island last night.

By 8pm more than 1700 lightning strikes had hit the upper North Island.

The weather was expected to remain unsettled over northern and central New Zealand for most of today.