Tornado Wreaks Havoc on Kapiti Coast in New Zealand, Met Service Warns of Heavy Snow, Enormous Hail, and Massive Surf

Snow is expected to pound southern regions in the early hours of Friday morning, prompting severe weather warnings for much of the country.

Until 1 pm on Thursday, heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecasted across the upper South Island.

The rain will then continue along the West Coast, with heavy rain in the Westland District as per a forecast for Friday.

A heavy snow warning has been issued for Canterbury, Central Otago, and Queenstown until Friday morning, according to MetService.

Wild weather in New Zealand

Snow is predicted to fall in the early hours of Friday morning throughout much of the country, prompting severe weather warnings, as per 1 news.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected over the upper South Island until 1 pm on Thursday.

Rain will continue to fall throughout the West Coast, with heavy rain expected in the Westland District on Friday.

MetService has issued a heavy snow warning for Canterbury, Central Otago, and Queenstown until Friday morning.

Overnight, severe winds and lightning appear to have caused damage north of the Waimangaroa Bridge.

As of writing, 11 houses are still without electricity while the problem is being fixed, which should be finished by 1 p.m. today.

Meanwhile, following a night of heavy snowfall, Castle Hill residents were cut off.

Due to snow, Waka Kotahi blocked State Highway 73 between Springfield and Arthurs Pass. At around 9.30 a.m., the road was fully reopened.

Due to floods over SH65 Maruia to Springs Junction, caution is advised.

Westland, Buller, and Nelson lakes are now under a heavy rain watch that will last until midnight.

Icy roads in Lindis Pass

Icy roads stopped numerous trucks on the Lindis Pass (SH8) early today, according to the Otago Daily Times. Due to the weather, roughly six trucks were trapped around the peak at about 2.15 a.m., including one that jackknifed.

Police from Cromwell, Kurow, and Oamaru was there, according to Sergeant Tony Woodbridge of Oamaru.

"One truck tried to go out and jackknifed because of the sliding," Sgt Woodbridge added, according to the report.

He stated that no injuries had occurred.

As a line of showers and thunderstorms progresses from the west of the South Island to the lower North Island, Niwa said their modeling indicates a potential of destructive wind gusts later this afternoon and tonight.

The forecaster is predicting heavy snow over 400 meters, with snow reaching sea level at times, especially in the region's south.

It warned that heavy snow might hinder transport and damage trees and power lines in the affected areas.

From 3 am to 3 pm on Saturday, a heavy snow warning is in effect for Clutha, Southland, and the Queenstown Lakes District south of Alexandra to Arrowtown.

From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, a watch has been issued for Central Otago, Queenstown north of Alexandra, and the Canterbury High Country.

From 9 p.m., an orange strong wind warning will be in effect for the Marlborough Sounds.

The Arthur's, Porters, and Haast passes, as well as the Milford Rd, are all under road snowfall warnings.

This evening, further road snowfall warnings will be in effect.

According to Communications Meteorologist Lewis Ferris, the South Island isn't out of the woods yet with this weather event, and further snow on the mountain passes is possible.

He advised everyone planning to travel to keep up with the weather prediction.

With 26 weather warnings in force across New Zealand, much of the country is on high alert.