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The wild weather of the West Coast has struck once again with a heavy burst of rain causing flash flooding at Runanga and a small twister making its way through central Greymouth.
And that may just be the start with more bad weather predicted.
MetService forecaster, Andy Downs, says the South Island is experiencing the first effects of a low that has developed rapidly over the Tasman Sea.
The rain started mid morning on Sunday and only fell for around four hours, but that was enough time to cause problems.
Business were left under water as small streams in Runanga burst to overflowing, unable to cope with the sudden and dramatic influx of water. Roads were blocked as sodden land gave way to the deluge.
While Runanga was stuggling with flooding Greymouth down the road was struck by another Tornado - though luckily it wasn't as big as the one which caused widepsread damage early last year.
The Greymouth Fire Service says Sunday's tornado damaged 18 central Greymouth properties. It says the twister missed several properties, then moved on to tear off a verandah, flatten a garage, lift roofs, knock down fences and break windows.
The heavy rain on the West Coast also stopped the TranzAlpine rail service between Christchurch and the West Coast on Sunday afternoon.
Line company Ontrack advised Toll NZ a washout about two kilometres west of Stillwater, northeast of Greymouth, which closed the line.
Toll spokesperson, Sue Foley, said passengers were bussed to either Christchurch or Greymouth, but says the bus also had trouble getting to the train because of slips on the road.
The washout was expected to be repaired by Sunday night.
Strong winds prompted the closure of Canterbury's Mount Hutt ski field on its second day of operation for the 2006 season.
Mount Hutt's ski area manager, David Wilson, says that around 6am on Sunday morning winds were reaching up to 100 kilometres an hour.
Overnight on Sunday between five and 10 centimetres of snow is expected around the Milford Road tunnel and high parts of the Lindis Pass and up to 15-centimetres is expected in high parts of Arthur's and Porters Passes overnight, with lesser amounts reaching down to 400-metres.
While motorists won't be too happy at the heavy snow fall David Wilson says it is always welcome at the start of the season.
The North Island is not going to escape unscathed, with the low set to sweep up the country.
MetService says galeforce winds are predicted for parts of the
central and lower North Island on Monday with gusts up to 150
kilometres an hour in some places.
For the latest forecast information, checkout
tvnz.co.nz's weather page.
