Alexandra Blossom Festival organisers will be watching the new blooms carefully this week, as strong winds experienced around Central Otago are forecast to continue throughout the weekend.

The MetService today (Friday, September 15) issued a strong wind watch for much of the South Island, including Otago, with northwest winds approaching severe gales in exposed places.

Met Service forecaster Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said strong winds were expected in Central Otago from Saturday morning throughout Sunday and into next week.

“If people are looking to travel up into the Canterbury region, Sunday seems a particularly windy day,” she said.

MetService warns of strong winds for Central Otago

Heavy rains in the west of the South Island could also have significant spillover into Canterbury and Otago headwaters.