Just when you thought Spring was here

Just when you thought Spring was here

A trough moves over New Zealand today and tomorrow, preceded by warmer moist northerlies and followed by a cold southerly change moving up the South Island tomorrow. Looking ahead to the weekend, a spell of wet and windy weather is expected for the upper North Island.

Severe Weather Warnings and Watches are currently in place for the Westland and Buller ranges until tonight, and the Tararua Range, Mt Taranaki, Tongariro National Park and Eastern Bay of Plenty ranges from this evening. The leading front crossing the upper North Island on Friday morning brings a high risk of thunderstorms with potential for downpours for Northland, Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula.

"A colder southerly change sweeps over the South Island tomorrow and across the North Island during Saturday, heralding a dramatic change from the balmy temperatures that eastern parts of the country have been enjoying for the last few days," said Meteorologist Rob Kerr.

"The southerly change is expected to bring snow, which is not great news during lambing season. Snow lowers to about 300 metres overnight Friday for the southern and eastern regions of the South Island, affecting many inland areas," added Kerr.

A low pressure system develops north-east of the North Island heading intoSunday, bringing a risk of heavy rain, strong winds and high seas, especially for eastern parts of the North Island. "At this stage weather models are uncertain as to the exact position of this low, which means some uncertainty right now as to which regions will be impacted by significant weather," warned Kerr. The public is urged to keep up to date with latest forecasts and warnings as this situation unfolds.

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.

ENDS

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