MetService says gusts of up to 150km/h are possible in exposed places. Photo: Supplied/MetService
The Canterbury region is under a red wind warning as severe gale-force winds move in on much of the South Island.
A red strong wind warning has been issued about and west of the foothills and west of State Highway 1, south of the Rakaia River.
The red warning is in place from 10pm Saturday until 3pm on Sunday.
Meteorologist Michael Pawley said severe gale northwesterlies were expected to reach 150km/h in exposed places.
"There is a threat to life from flying items and falling trees.We're expecting destructive winds to cause widespread damage, including to power lines and roofs, with dangerous driving conditions and significant disruption to transport and power supply.
"Stay indoors, seek a sturdy shelter away from trees, avoid travel and be ready for power and communications outages," he said.
Pawley said most of the South Island had been upgraded to orange strong wind warnings with gusts of 120km/h expected in exposed places.
MetService advised people to avoid travel, stay indoors and prepare for power and communication outages.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said a Red Warning signified that people needed to act now.
"Immediate action is required to protect people, animals and property from the impact of the weather. People should also be prepared to follow the advice of official authorities and emergency services."
Watch a video explaining the MetService's weather warning system:
An orange heavy rain warning will also be in force for 12 hours from 3am Sunday.
"An active front, preceded by a strong north to northwest flow, moves northeast over the South Island during Sunday then becomes slow moving over central New Zealand late Sunday," MetService said on Saturday morning.
"Warnings and watches for heavy rain and strong winds are in force for much of southern and central New Zealand, including a red Warning for severe northwest gales for parts of inland Canterbury."
A Red Strong Wind Warning has been issued for Canterbury about and west of the foothills, also west of SH1 south of the Rakaia River from 10pm tonight (Saturday) until 3pm on Sunday.
— MetService (@MetService) September 19, 2025
Damaging gusts of 150 km/h are expected in exposed places, causing threat to life from flying… pic.twitter.com/of05JwvZFW
Strong wind watches are in place for Southland, Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago, Marlborough excluding the Sounds and the Westland District from late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
South Taranaki, western Whanganui, Taihape and the Grey District have strong wind watches in place from 6am Sunday.
A heavy rain watch is in place for the Richmond and Bryant ranges and the Rai Valley from 12pm Sunday.
This is the third Red Warning MetService has issued this year, and it's the 18th Red Warning weather event since the highest alert level was introduced back in May 2019.
Avoid lighting outdoor fires - FENZ
Fire and Emergency (FENZ) are also urging people to avoid lighting any outdoor fires over the weekend.
FENZ district commander Rob Hands said the winds would make any fires very hard to control and could easily ignite old fires that had not been completely extinguished.
He said anyone who had had an outdoor fire in the last two weeks should go and check the site and make sure that it was completely out.
"Put water on the ash piles or embers if there is any sign of heat," he said.
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