Live weather: Snow closes highways in South Island, hundreds lose power in Hawke's Bay gales

"It’s probably the heaviest snow I’ve been in, it just came down so fast."

Home / New ZealandUpdatedHerald ReportersNZ Herald·31 Aug, 2026 01:52 AM4 mins to read‌MetService morning weather update: August 31, 2026. Video / MetServiceThe wild tail end of winter continues today, with snow falling across the South Island and high winds about to batter Hawke’s Bay. Severe westerly gales could gust

After flooding, evacuations, slips and road closures caused havoc across the country, another blast of wild weather is bringing snow, hail, thunderstorms and potentially damaging winds.

See all of the UK areas affected by a thunderstorm warning today

The NHS has issued a warning to people with certain conditions