September spring storms sweep the south

Chris Lynch
Chris Lynch
Sep 30, 2023 |

Mt Lyford Village. Photo: Stacey Connell.

“Four seasons in one day” is how one North Canterbury resident has described the weather on the last day of September.

“We had both hail hammering down hard while the blossom was blowing around — making it look like snow and hail at once,” the Woodend resident told Chris Lynch Media.

“The darkest winter sky you’ve ever seen one moment, with a massive gust of wind blowing it out to sea the next, leading to a beautifully fine day. It was like four seasons in one day,” they said.

We asked on the Chris Lynch Media Facebook for Kiwis to send through what they see outside. Here’s just a few of those.

What a difference an hour makes at Lake Tekapo.


Beautiful at Lake Tekapo one minute… (Photo: Kathryn Taylor)


…snowing the next. These two photos were taken one hour apart. Photo: Kathryn Taylor)


Kaikoura. Photo: Melissa Jolly.


Hanmer Springs. Photo Dianne Hadlee.


Lake Lyndon. Photo Mie Galanote Clay.


Arthur’s Pass. Photo Mie Galanote Clay.

MetService New Zealand has put out a Strong Wind Watch for the next two days for the entire South Island.


MetService weather watch. Supplied.

Sunday brings a brief respite to the severe weather, though rain develops along the West Coast and northwest winds rise in central and eastern areas ahead of a broad trough approaching from the Tasman Sea.

Heavy Rain and Strong Wind Watches for the South Island start early on Monday, expiring in the afternoon/evening as the trough crosses to the North Island.

Chris Lynch
Chris Lynch

Chris Lynch is a journalist, videographer and content producer, broadcasting from his independent news and production company in Christchurch, New Zealand. If you have a news tip or are interested in video content, email [email protected]

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