Wintery Blast Heralds The Return Of Wind, Rain And SnowPhoto/Supplied30/07/2026Covering period of Thursday 30th July - Monday 3rd August• Strong southerly change brings strong winds and bitterly cold wind chill to the south. • Strong Wind Watches are in force for the Canterbury High Country, Wellington, Coastal parts of Southland and Otago, and Christchurch including Banks Peninsula. A front will bring a period of rain through Thursday and into Friday, with heavy rain and squally thunderstorms possible in western areas. Yellow Strong Wind Watches are in force for the Canterbury High Country and Wellington for strong northwesterly winds on Thursday. Yellow Strong Wind Watches have been issued for Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, Coastal Otago and Coastal Southland for this strong southerly change during Friday.