A cold wet and windy Weekend

A cold wet and windy Weekend

While today and tomorrow look relatively settled weather wise across the country, all eyes are on a significant weather system set to affect New Zealand over the weekend. A low pressure system developing over the Tasman Sea today is set to intensify as it approaches from the west duringFriday. Meanwhile a frontal system approaches the south of the country lateFriday, bringing rain to much of the South Island during Saturday, with snow falling to low levels.

"These weather systems are set to bring severe weather right across the country during the weekend" said MetService Meteorologist Rob Kerr. "As heavy rain and strong winds affect the North Island and the top of the South Island on Saturday, the cold southerly change further south will have a dramatic effect on where the heaviest snow falls are as the frontal system moves northwards" warned Kerr. "The cold outbreak will quickly sweep over the North Island on Sunday as the low moves away to the east, and could result in significant snowfall about some lower North Island ranges. The MetService team will be posting regular forecast and warning updates onmetservice.com and via the MetService Facebook and Twitter feeds as this event unfolds" he added.

Looking beyond the weekend, the southwest flow eases on Sunday as a broad ridge approaches from the west, moving over all of New Zealand during Tuesday and Wednesday. This means a return to fine days with frosty starts for most Kiwis.

Keep up to date with the latest forecasts and any watches/warnings atmetservice.com or on mobile devices at m.metservice.com. You can also follow our updates on MetService TV, at MetService New Zealand on Facebook, @metservice on Twitter and at blog.metservice.com

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