A series of several deep and/or large lows will affect New Zealand over the week ahead while a squash zone (more wind) between NZ’s lower air pressure and Australia’s high pressuer will encourage even more energy in the winds here.

The strong westerlies will swing warmer north west and much colder south to south west every couple of days. This set up over the weekend will actually push temperatures above average for May across many eastern parts of the country. The flip side will be that western areas (especially in the South Island) will have more cloud and a much higher risk of rain or showers – eastern areas have plenty of dry weather ahead. There will also be a colder change arriving next week for some.

It won’t be mild in Southland or Otago this weekend but it will be warmer than the colder change arriving on Monday which may see some areas struggle to climb over 5 degrees at the warmest point of the day and snow possible in Queenstown. But due to the westerly set up expect milder weather further east towards Alexandra and Dunedin – and drier, sunnier, there too.

Heavy rain on the West Coast will turn to heavy snow at times, especially early next week, but with the warm and cold surges the freezing level will constantly be shifting.

Finally, expect dangerous beach and marine conditions, especially in the west and south of New Zealand.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz