South Island braces for winter storm with snow and heavy rain on the way

A significant winter storm will hit the South Island as the week progresses, MetService says.The forecaster said while warm northwesterly winds would bring notably warmer temperatures to the North Island from Wednesday, heavy rain would be developing in the South Island.A prolonged period of wet weather was expected, it said, particularly in the west of the South Island.A cooler southerly air would follow late Wednesday and Thursday with warning amounts of snow possible to 400m for inland parts of South Canterbury and Otago."The weather becomes increasingly active across the South Island from Wednesday as a slow-moving low in the Tasman Sea directs a large amount of moisture toward the island. Significant severe weather is expected with this event," MetService warned.MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden said rain would become widespread and heavy on Wednesday with the worst hitting the Southern Alps and West Coast, where a heavy rain watch was in place.Further warnings were likely, Lynden said, and heavy falls were possible across much of the South Island.The low was expected to be slow moving, he said, and could bring prolonged heavy rainfall for Central Otago, the Queenstown Lakes District, the Mackenzie Basin and inland Canterbury.Anyone planning travel or outdoor activities in the South Island later this week, particularly in western and central areas was encouraged to keep up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings or watches on the MetService website.Lynden said the North Island would remain comparatively settled throughout the first half of the week, with light winds and dry weather.Throughout the week, northwesterlies would push a warmer airmass across the island, with temperatures becoming notably warmer. Lynden said most places should remain dry.