Southland farmers brace for cold blast

Southland farmers are being advised to find shelter for stock tonight as an icy front moves in.

Freezing conditions and snow are expected for much Southland, Fiordland and Otago tonight.

The cold blast comes right in the middle of lambing season in the deep south.

Boaties with craft moored at Bluff or Riverton are being urged to check their moorings now, in daylight, before predicted gales strike the Southland coast tonight.

MetService has issued a warning that winds will start picking up from six tonight with gusts of up to 120 kilometres an hour overnight

But WeatherWatch's Phil Duncan says it's not as bad as it seems.

"I think if you get your lambs away from that southerly wind, they will probably be fine overnight, unless we see a real rapid development in this low off the east coast which drives in more rain."

Phil Duncan says the deep south can expect sunnier conditions from Wednesday onwards.

Photo: NZ Herald