The weather this past week ended with a cold southerly outbreak, as a trough swept over the country on Friday and Saturday. There was snow about the hills in many South Island areas and skiffs of snow visible in web cams over the Desert Road early Sunday morning.

Accompanying the cold air, heavy showers with hail and a few thunderstorms were reported in central areas on Saturday. Showers mostly eased off on Sunday as the southerly weakened and fine spells increased over much of the country. “Takaka Hill Road reported 28.1 mm of rain late Saturday afternoon and evening, and hail was also observed,“ stated MetService forecaster Derek Holland.

Temperatures dropped at night, and some inland places experienced morning frosts at a time of year when spring growth is vulnerable to damage from the cold. In Ranfurly, Otago, an overnight minimum of -2C was reported this morning.

The pattern of slow moving troughs and ridges crossing the country is set to change later this week on Wednesday, with a change to a disturbed westerly flow. “Faster moving frontal features in the westerly flow will bring a more noticeable spring weather pattern over the country,” added Mr Holland.

Before then on Monday, however, a ridge moves to the east of the country and most people will look forward to a clear Monday evening to enjoy Halloween activities, with only isolated showers in the north and about the West Coast.

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