Spring chaos continues this week and while temperatures over the weekend were several degrees above average in many regions (and again today) it will be a very different story by Wednesday and/or Thursday.

As we end September and head into October we often get more and more hints of summer being around the corner – but we do get these reminders (sometimes quite abruptly!) that winter has only just technically ended – and like a powercut to a freezer the arrival of spring doesn’t mean the winter cold is instantly lost.

The cold snap this Wednesday and Thursday is short lived but it is pretty cold for some, mainly the southern half of the South Island – and for newborn livestock it will be a tough day or two there. The cold air does make it up the North Island too – but not as significantly. It will be cold in the east of the North Island on Thursday and windy elsewhere.

Parts of Southland, Otago and Canterbury are now expected to lose over 10 degrees from their daytime highs over the next couple of days.

By Wednesday and/or Thursday highs in the lower South Island will be just 5 to 9 degrees with snow flurries possibly affecting Queenstown, Gore and Lumsden – or close by – and also the hilltops of Dunedin – but totals won’t be great and it’s unlikely to settle that low with ground and air temperatures both too mild. The main risks will be for motorists on alpine passes and newborn livestock.

On Thursday it will be a windy, colder, day nationwide with a strong sou’west flow covering much of New Zealand – but in true Spring style we may have a mild westerlies or even a gentle sub-tropical flow returning as early as Friday or Saturday!

NOON THIS THURSDAY:
– Coldest air flow in dark blue arrows
– Fairly cold air flow in pale blue
– Milder Australian or sub-tropical airflow in orange

– WeatherWatch.co.nz