Photo: Snow around Central Plateau last winter – snow is possible tonight and tomorrow on the

.   Photo / File, Jason Winstanley.

It’s a cold morning in the South Island with a burst of torrential rain over Christchurch in the past few minutes as a weak southerly front heads north. 

Heavy showers, some with hail, are expected along the southern and eastern coastline today with a burst of wintry air spreading right over New Zealand by Thursday.

The Weather Watch Centre predicts single digit highs in a number of main centres from the lower North Island southwards on Wednesday, including Wellington and Christchurch, as that southerly strengthens.

Highs between just 10 and 15 degrees are expected over much of the North Island on Thursday with a number of centres around 12. 

The system isn’t particularly nasty but will bring biting wind chills to southern and eastern parts of both islands.   The Weather Watch Centre also predicts a ‘high’ chance of snow on the Desert road tonight and tomorrow and advises motorists to check road conditions before heading off.   It’s uncertain if snow falls will be heavy enough to close the road.

There is good news for those who prefer it sunny and cold – a large high is predicted to spread into northern and western regions by the end of the week, with cold, showery, southerlies easing along the east coast of New Zealand as the week progresses.