Numerous severe warnings have been issued for the country as the first Autumn system rolls in – and it poses some risk to Christchurch predicts WeatherWatch.co.nz.

Despite warnings for Canterbury from the crown forecaster, Christchurch isn’t predicted to have severe weather – but the winds could still be strong enough to cause some problems.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says dust from last Tuesday’s massive liquefaction will become airborne – and suggests wearing simple painting masks will be the easiest way to combat the dust when outside and closing windows when inside.

The crown forecaster is warning wind gusts may reach 90km/h across Christchurch city and WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst Philip Duncan says that could cause problems.

“There are a number of structures and objects that are vulnerable to these winds.  The main concern within the CBD will, of course, but further damage to brick buildings that are very vulnerable.  The second more far reaching problem will be related to trees”.

Mr Duncan says after the September 4th earthquake a number of trees blew down across inland Canterbury in winds that would normally not cause such damage.  That same risk now applies to Christchurch and its suburbs with many trees weakened by Tuesday’s horrific quake and the many strong aftershocks.

“People should stay away from large trees as these winds blow”.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says some buildings may suffer further damage in the gusts and it’s not out of the question that much stronger winds on the Port Hills could cause more rock slides.

Winds may reach severe gale on the tops of the Port Hills overnight tonight with gusts to 130km/h.

The crown forecaster says the winds will peak between midnight tonight and 9am Wednesday.

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See below for the full list of weather warnings by MetService

Wairarapa

Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: For parts of Marlborough, the exposed hilltops of Wellington, parts of South Wairarapa. Gale northwesterlies are expected to develop overnight Tuesday. From about 3am Wednesday until early Wednesday afternoon, expect gusts to 120km/hr over exposed hilltops and to the lee of higher terrain.

Wellington

Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: For parts of Marlborough, the exposed hilltops of Wellington, parts of South Wairarapa. Gale northwesterlies are expected to develop overnight Tuesday. From about 3am Wednesday until early Wednesday afternoon, expect gusts to 120km/hr over exposed hilltops and to the lee of higher terrain. 

Marlborough

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: For the ranges of Buller and Westland north of Otira, the northwest Nelson ranges also the Richmond Range and the Marlborough Sounds. Rain is expected to become heavy Wednesday morning. In the 6-9 hours from 4am Wednesday morning north of Otira and in the northwest Nelson ranges, and from 7am for the Richmond Range and the Marlborough Sounds, expect 80-100mm rain with peak intensities briefly near 25mm/hr. Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: For parts of Marlborough, theexposed hilltops of Wellington, parts of South Wairarapa. Gale northwesterlies are expected to develop overnight Tuesday. From about 3am Wednesday until early Wednesday afternoon, expect gusts to 120km/hr over exposed hilltops and to the lee of higher terrain. 

Nelson

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: For the ranges of Buller and Westland north of Otira, the northwest Nelson ranges also the Richmond Range and the Marlborough Sounds. Rain is expected to become heavy Wednesday morning. In the 6-9 hours from 4am Wednesday morning north of Otira and in the northwest Nelson ranges, and from 7am for the Richmond Range and the Marlborough Sounds, expect 80-100mm rain with peak intensities briefly near 25mm/hr. 

Nelson Lakes

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: For the ranges of Buller and Westland north of Otira, the northwest Nelson ranges also the Richmond Range and the Marlborough Sounds. Rain is expected to become heavy Wednesday morning. In the 6-9 hours from 4am Wednesday morning north of Otira and in the northwest Nelson ranges, and from 7am for the Richmond Range and the Marlborough Sounds, expect 80-100mm rain with peak intensities briefly near 25mm/hr.

Buller

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: For the ranges of Buller and Westland north of Otira, the northwest Nelson ranges also the Richmond Range and the Marlborough Sounds. Rain is expected to become heavy Wednesday morning. In the 6-9 hours from 4am Wednesday morning north of Otira and in the northwest Nelson ranges, and from 7am for the Richmond Range and the Marlborough Sounds, expect 80-100mm rain with peak intensities briefly near 25mm/hr. 

Westland

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The Ranges of Westland south of Otira. In the 24 hours from 9am Tuesday to 9am Wednesday, expect another 200-220mm. Heaviest falls after midnight Tuesday, with intensities reaching 30 to 40mm per hour. Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: For the ranges of Buller andWestland north of Otira, the northwest Nelson ranges also the Richmond Range and the Marlborough Sounds. Rain is expected to become heavy Wednesday morning. In the 6-9 hours from 4am Wednesday morning north of Otira and in the northwest Nelson ranges, and from 7am for the Richmond Range and the Marlborough Sounds, expect 80-100mm rain with peak intensities briefly near 25mm/hr.
 

Fiordland

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: Fiordland from Milford Sound northwards. Rain should become heavy Tuesday night. In the 18 hours from 9am Tuesday to 3am Wednesday, expect another 90-120mm. Heaviest falls should occur Wednesday morning, with intensities reaching 15-25mm per hour. Another period of heavy rain is expected to commence Thursday morning. Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: Southern Fiordland, Southlandand the Foveaux Strait area. A period of gale northwest winds are expected early Wednesday morning. From midnight to 6am Wednesday, northwest gales may gust about 120km/hr about some exposed inland areas. Then from about 6am to 3pm Wednesday, westerly gales can be expected near Foveaux Strait with gusts around 120km/hr, especially about exposed headlands. 

Christchurch

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The Headwaters of the Lakes and Rivers of Canterbury from Arthurs Pass southwards In the 24 hours from 9am Tuesday to 9am Wednesday expect another 140-170mm near the divide with over 90mm falling within 15km further east. Heaviest falls after midnight Tuesday. Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: For Inland areas of Otago andCanterbury, including the foothills and Banks Peninsula. North to northwest gales are expected to develop Tuesday night. In the 9 hours from midnight Tuesday, severe gale gusts of 130km/hr can be expected inland about the Canterbury foothills and over higher parts of Banks Peninsula. Severe gales are not expected in Christchurch city but west to northwest wind gusts could reach about 90km/hr from early Wednesday morning until early Wednesday afternoon. In Otago to the lee of high terrain, and especially in the east to the lee of the Rock and Pillar Range from around daybreak Wednesday expect gusts around 120km/hr.

Canterbury Plains

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The Headwaters of the Lakes and Rivers of Canterbury from Arthurs Pass southwards In the 24 hours from 9am Tuesday to 9am Wednesday expect another 140-170mm near the divide with over 90mm falling within 15km further east. Heaviest falls after midnight Tuesday. Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: For Inland areas of Otago andCanterbury, including the foothills and Banks Peninsula. North to northwest gales are expected to develop Tuesday night. In the 9 hours from midnight Tuesday, severe gale gusts of 130km/hr can be expected inland about the Canterbury foothills and over higher parts of Banks Peninsula. Severe gales are not expected in Christchurch city but west to northwest wind gusts could reach about 90km/hr from early Wednesday morning until early Wednesday afternoon. In Otago to the lee of high terrain, and especially in the east to the lee of the Rock and Pillar Range from around daybreak Wednesday expect gusts around 120km/hr.

Canterbury High Country

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The Headwaters of the Lakes and Rivers of Canterbury from Arthurs Pass southwards In the 24 hours from 9am Tuesday to 9am Wednesday expect another 140-170mm near the divide with over 90mm falling within 15km further east. Heaviest falls after midnight Tuesday. Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: For Inland areas of Otago andCanterbury, including the foothills and Banks Peninsula. North to northwest gales are expected to develop Tuesday night. In the 9 hours from midnight Tuesday, severe gale gusts of 130km/hr can be expected inland about the Canterbury foothills and over higher parts of Banks Peninsula. Severe gales are not expected in Christchurch city but west to northwest wind gusts could reach about 90km/hr from early Wednesday morning until early Wednesday afternoon. In Otago to the lee of high terrain, and especially in the east to the lee of the Rock and Pillar Range from around daybreak Wednesday expect gusts around 120km/hr.

Dunedin City

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The Headwaters of the Lakes and Rivers of Otago. In the 21 hours from 9am Tuesday to 6am Wednesday, expect 125mm rain about the divide with over 80mm within 10km east and over 40mm within 15km east. Bulk of the falls will be between midnight Tuesday and daybreak Wednesday. Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: For Inland areas of Otago andCanterbury, including the foothills and Banks Peninsula. North to northwest gales are expected to develop Tuesday night. In the 9 hours from midnight Tuesday, severe gale gusts of 130km/hr can be expected inland about the Canterbury foothills and over higher parts of Banks Peninsula. Severe gales are not expected in Christchurch city but west to northwest wind gusts could reach about 90km/hr from early Wednesday morning until early Wednesday afternoon. In Otago to the lee of high terrain, and especially in the east to the lee of the Rock and Pillar Range from around daybreak Wednesday expect gusts around 120km/hr.

Otago

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The Headwaters of the Lakes and Rivers of Otago. In the 21 hours from 9am Tuesday to 6am Wednesday, expect 125mm rain about the divide with over 80mm within 10km east and over 40mm within 15km east. Bulk of the falls will be between midnight Tuesday and daybreak Wednesday. Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: For Inland areas of Otago andCanterbury, including the foothills and Banks Peninsula. North to northwest gales are expected to develop Tuesday night. In the 9 hours from midnight Tuesday, severe gale gusts of 130km/hr can be expected inland about the Canterbury foothills and over higher parts of Banks Peninsula. Severe gales are not expected in Christchurch city but west to northwest wind gusts could reach about 90km/hr from early Wednesday morning until early Wednesday afternoon. In Otago to the lee of high terrain, and especially in the east to the lee of the Rock and Pillar Range from around daybreak Wednesday expect gusts around 120km/hr.

Southern Lakes

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The Headwaters of the Lakes and Rivers of Otago. In the 21 hours from 9am Tuesday to 6am Wednesday, expect 125mm rain about the divide with over 80mm within 10km east and over 40mm within 15km east. Bulk of the falls will be between midnight Tuesday and daybreak Wednesday. Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: For Inland areas of Otago andCanterbury, including the foothills and Banks Peninsula. North to northwest gales are expected to develop Tuesday night. In the 9 hours from midnight Tuesday, severe gale gusts of 130km/hr can be expected inland about the Canterbury foothills and over higher parts of Banks Peninsula. Severe gales are not expected in Christchurch city but west to northwest wind gusts could reach about 90km/hr from early Wednesday morning until early Wednesday afternoon. In Otago to the lee of high terrain, and especially in the east to the lee of the Rock and Pillar Range from around daybreak Wednesday expect gusts around 120km/hr.

Southland

Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: For Inland areas of Otago and Canterbury, including the foothills and Banks Peninsula. North to northwest gales are expected to develop Tuesday night. In the 9 hours from midnight Tuesday, severe gale gusts of 130km/hr can be expected inland about the Canterbury foothills and over higher parts of Banks Peninsula. Severe gales are not expected in Christchurch city but west to northwest wind gusts could reach about 90km/hr from early Wednesday morning until early Wednesday afternoon. In Otago to the lee of high terrain, and especially in the east to the lee of the Rock and Pillar Range from around daybreak Wednesday expect gusts around 120km/hr. Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: Southern Fiordland, Southlandand the Foveaux Strait area. A period of gale northwest winds are expected early Wednesday morning. From midnight to 6am Wednesday, northwest gales may gust about 120km/hr about some exposed inland areas. Then from about 6am to 3pm Wednesday, westerly gales can be expected near Foveaux Strait with gusts around 120km/hr, especially about exposed headlands. 

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– WeatherWatch.co.nz