MetService is warning of more cold and snowy weather.

Issued at 12:47pm 15-Jun-2006

MetService is warning of more cold and snowy weather.

From late Friday, and at times on Saturday and Sunday, very cold southerlies are expected to bring snow to Southland and coastal Otago. The snow is currently not expected to accumulate to warning amounts over a widespread area, but significant falls could occur in brief heavy snow showers. Canterbury and inland Otago, after having warmed up for a while on Friday, will also become chilled again on Saturday, though only light snowy showers are expected there.

"We expect that the active trough of low pressure moving onto the South Island on Friday will bring in its wake a frigid southerly flow", commented MetService's Manager of the National Forecast Centre, Peter Kreft. "However, the milder northwesterlies ahead of this trough should contribute to snow melt in the east of the South Island as well as bringing heavy rain to the West Coast and strong winds to central parts of the country"

The significant part of this new cold outbreak should reach the North Island later on Sunday. Kreft commented that driving conditions in the south and east of the South Island may be treacherous over the weekend. "Many South Island areas will experience more sub-zero nights. Some roads not already covered in snow will freeze."

Keep up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings on the www.metservice.com web site.

ENDS

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