Another polar blast is on the cards following a relatively mild start to July.  WeatherWatch.co.nz says the latest computer models and data show a possible prolonged cold snap starting this weekend in the South Island and quickly spreading north.

Snow is forecast to low levels, with some flakes possibly to sea level, along the South Island’s southern and eastern coastlines with the coldest air arriving on Sunday and Monday and possibly another cold outbreak later next week.

At this stage precipitation levels don’t look high so heavy snow affecting places like Canterbury don’t look likely.

The cold air is expected to surge north with WeatherWatch predicting a high of just 11 degrees in Auckland on Sunday or Monday.

Computer models show the air may come straight off the polar caps making it super chilled.  The cold air may also bring severe frosts back to Waikato, an area that is sheltered from southerlies.

On Sunday a deep sub-tropical low is expected to skirt past East Cape and should help intensify the south easterly flow over the North Island.

WeatherWatch.co.nz will closely monitor this possible cold snap so check back over the next 48 hours as the computer models firm up their predictions.