Weather warning with freezing conditions | Oamaru News | Local News in Oamaru

Otago is likely to be hit by strong winds, sleety showers, hail and snow down to 200 metres today.

Waitaki District Council emergency services manager Chris Raine said he would advise all those in areas inland and motorists using some of the high country passes to carry chains in their vehicles.

He is hoping this weather predicted by the MetService will not be accompanied by too much rain as there are some puddles around that have not drained since the floods in May.

"Anything more than about 15mm in a short space of time could cause problems in some areas. The wind-chill factor could easily go below zero, so we just want people to be prepared for that," he said yesterday.

Despite this, Mr Raine warned that fires could still be sparked, such as the one that occurred on Wednesday when a stretch of scrub caught fire in Kakanui.

Winds are expected to relax tomorrow with cloud clearing in most places. Another cold snap has been forecast to hit late on Sunday and remain on Monday.

These swinging weather conditions are likely to make driving difficult and bring periods of stress to vulnerable farm animals during lambing.