Storm the Size of Australia Heading for NZ

Drivers on Marine Parade in Wellington struggle with strong winds during a storm in 2004. Strong gusts are forecast for Wellington, and severe weather warnings issued for other parts of New Zealand. (Photo by Ross Setford/Getty Images)

One of the largest storms on the planet is making its way to New Zealand. It covers an area the size of Australia according to WeatherWatch.co.nz.

The storm has a very large centre, but its exact centre is likely to remain at least 1000km south of New Zealand.

Over the next few days gales, heavy rain and snow will batter New Zealand, with some regions worse off than others.

Heavy snow is expected in Southland and Otago during Friday and Saturday, and there is concern for farmers in the middle of the lambing season.

Strong gale force winds mainly affecting the central, eastern and northern areas are predicted, and in some isolated areas winds may bring down trees and power lines WeatherWatch.co.nz reported.

“So we are going to have some wild and windy weather over the next few days,” MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt told the NZ Herald.

The west coasts of both New Zealand’s islands are likely to get “humungous swells” from the Roaring Forties, and a band of strong westerly winds, he added.

MetService has forecasted northwesterly gusts of 120 km/hr in exposed places in Wellington, Wairarapa and the Marlborough Sounds areas during Friday.

WeatherWatch.co.nz said on their Twitter feed, “don’t panic about the large storm - we don’t expect much damage, but it is important to be aware of the warnings.”