Cold snap on the way

Cold snap on the way

Although the remainder of Labour Weekend is looking settled for most of New Zealand, a front is set to move onto the far south Monday evening, then cross the remainder of the South Island Tuesday morning. The front will bring a period of rain and is followed by cold southerly winds.

The rain is expected to be heavy in Fiordland and South Westland from Monday afternoon to Tuesday morning. Unseasonable snow is also forecast for the Otago and Canterbury High Country down to about 400 metres overnight Monday and early Tuesday. "This is likely to affect many of the higher roads in these areas and especially the Alpine Passes. High country farmers may wish to move vulnerable stock to sheltered areas," commented MetService Meteorologist Stephen Glassey.

The front weakens by the time it gets to the North Island. However, a low developing over the Tasman Sea is expected to move across the North Island on Thursday, dragging up more cold air from the south over both islands. Rain is expected to spread over most of New Zealand during Thursday, with yet more snow likely about high country areas of the South Island. The low moves away to the east on Friday leaving a cold southwest flow over the country.

ENDS

© Scoop Media