Winds buffet South Island as storm tracks north (opens original article in a new tab)

Strong winds and heavy rain hit the South Island and lower North Island, causing highway closures and warnings, with conditions expected to ease by Sunday morning.

• Christchurch recorded a June high of 24.9C with strong northwesterly winds affecting the South and lower North Islands.
• MetService updated forecasts, extending wind and rain impacts until early Sunday with some highway closures and delays.
• Orange warnings for strong winds and heavy rain cover multiple regions, with all warnings expected to lift by Sunday morning.