Warnings in place for New Zealand as deep low brings heavy snow, rain to South Island

A deep low pressure system is heading straight for New Zealand, and it's set to bring heavy rain, gusty winds and even blizzard conditions across the South Island late Sunday, July 5, into Monday, July 6, extending into Wednesday, July 8, for the South Island's northeast. 

Satellite image of a deep low pressure system and a cold airmass heading towards New Zealand.
Image: ACCESS-G forecast accumulated rainfall to 10pm AEST (midnight NZST), Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Source: Weatherzone. 

The New Zealand MetService has issued a Red Warning for heavy rain of 80-120mm over coastal parts of Dunedin and Clutha, with rainfall intensity possible reaching as high as 10-15 mm/h. Red warnings are the highest warning category for New Zealand, indicating that people need to "take immediate action . . . to protect people, animals, and property from the impact of the weather". 

Orange Warnings, which indicate "a potential risk to people, animals and property", have been issued for heavy rain over northern coastal Otago, northern Canterbury and Marlborough, and for heavy snow down to 400 metres (possibly as low as 200 metres) across inland Otago. There is at least a moderate chance that these warnings will be updated to Red Warnings in the next warning update, which is due at 9pm NZST (7pm AEST). 

Image: Severe Weather Warnings for New Zealand for Sunday, July 5, to Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Source: New Zealand MetService. 

Earlier today, the New Zealand rain radar showed a taste of what's to come, indicating heavy rain near Ashburton on the South Island's east coast. 

Image: Rain radar at 3:35pm NZST, Sunday, July 5, 2026. Source: New Zealand MetService. 

Gusty, possibly damaging, south to southeasterly winds may also develop through the Cook Strait and over the South Island ranges from Monday morning and could persist into Tuesday morning for South Island's northern ranges. 

Image: ACCESS-G forecast wind gusts at 12pm AEST (2pm NZST) on Monday, July 6, 2026. Source: Weatherzone. 

As the low crosses New Zealand's North Island later in the week, there is a chance that damaging southerly wind gusts could again develop through the Cook Strait, possibly impacting Wellington, late Wednesday evening into Thursday morning. 

If you're in New Zealand or plan on travelling to or from New Zealand this week, make sure you stay up to date with all the latest warnings at New Zealand MetService.