Critical Risk Event

SIGNIFICANT WIND EVENT FOR CANTERBURY HIGH COUNTRY

Canterbury High Country and Foothills extending 20km east into the Plains:

Valid: 9pm Saturday 20th - 1pm Sunday 21st

North to Northwest winds are forecast to stregnthen later this evening, peaking overnight and during the morning hours on Sunday. Peak wind gusts of up to 150kph are likely, potentially stronger on mountain summits. Winds are expected to ease below Critical Risk from the south late Sunday morning, however strong to gale force winds with gusts up to 110kph possible in the afternoon before easing in the evening. Winds of this strength are a risk to life, take care.

  • What to do in Heavy Rain:

    Stay informed on weather updates. Listen to your local radio stations as civil defence authorities will be broadcasting the most appropriate advice for your community and situation.

    Clear gutters and drains from leaves and debris as these can cause blockages and lead to flooding.

    Drive carefully: Slow down and turn on your headlights to improve visibility. Wet roads can make it harder to brake and your tires may lose traction, causing your car to skid. Do not drive through flooded roads in any circumstance, you just do not know what is ahead of you.

    Monitor weather reports: Always check for the latest weather information.

    Prepare an emergency kit: Keep an umbrella and raincoat hand, and have an emergency radio on-hand.

  • What to do in Heavy Snow:

    Stay informed on weather updates. Listen to your local radio stations as civil defence authorities will be broadcasting the most appropriate advice for your community and situation.

    Bring pets indoors or into adequate shelter.

    Do not keep your animal in a garage or room with running vehicles or unflued gas heaters. Even small amounts of carbon monoxide will kill them.

    Secure your whare/home and critical buildings by closing the windows and doors.

    If necessary, conserve fuel by keeping your whare/home slightly cooler than normal and wearing extra layers.

    When heating using a fireplace, wood stove, or space heater, use fire safeguards and ventilate properly.

    Keep one or two taps running slowly during periods of extreme cold. Water moving through the system should prevent lines from freezing.

    Prepare an emergency kit: Keep your outdoor winter jacket close, and have an emergency radio on-hand.

    Avoid travel if possible, if you must travel only do so with 4WD of Snow Chains, let someone know where and when you are going and due to return.

  • What to do in Strong Winds:

    Stay informed on weather updates. Listen to your local radio stations as civil Defence authorities will be broadcasting the most appropriate advice for your community and situation.

    Put your household emergency plan into action and check your getaway kit in case you have to leave in a hurry.

    Don't walk around outside and avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.

    If the wind becomes destructive, stay away from doors and windows and shelter further inside the house.

    Secure, or move indoors, all items that could get blown about and cause harm in strong winds and bring pets inside.

Disclaimer; MetService is New Zealand’s official weather warning provider in New Zealand. We do not provide warnings, just forecasts for possible severe weather - please always consult Metservice severe weather warnings, but feel free to use us a secondary source for severe weather information.