As predicted at the start of the week a cold change from south Australia has swept across some parts of New Zealand today – significantly dropping temperatures but not to extreme levels.

Early this afternoon Queenstown was on just 10 degrees, compared with 20 degrees in Auckland.  At noon Queenstown was on just 8 degrees.

Dunedin, Kaikoura and Gore had 11 early afternoon, Oamaru 12 and Christchurch 14.

The southerly also blew into Wellington.  The capital was only on 13 degrees early afternoon – typically the warmest time of the day.

Meanwhile northern regions remained warm, in the late teens or around 20.

Despite reports of snow on the Southern Alps this morning WeatherWatch.co.nz says this isn’t winter arriving – simply typical Autumn weather.

A large high is still forecast to move in this weekend – but its huge size means it’s tracking east towards us very slowly.

On Friday conditions will remain windy and cool for some areas, especially the south and west, but by Saturday winds will start to ease and skies clear.

Sunday looks settled and calm almost everywhere. 

Homepage image / File, Wellington Sth Coast Debbie Houlahan

– WeatherWatch.co.nz