Today is set to be a cold day across New Zealand as air blown up by a south westerly descends over most regions. Daytime highs will be low over both islands according to the Radio Network’s Weather Watch Centre.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga will hover around 12 or 13 degrees today with Gisborne, Napier and Hastings in for a bigger shock. “While the highs over the eastern North Island wont be too low they will be down significantly compared to yesterday. Like northern parts of the North Island, highs of around 12 or 13 are likely but compared to temperatures up to 18 degrees during Monday it will be a bit of shock to the system”.

Meanwhile lower parts of the North Island and most of the South Island will be lucky to reach 10 or 11 degrees today as the south westerly blows through.  Snow fell to low levels in Southland during yesterday.

Mr Duncan says the cold winds will ease in many areas on tomrrow as a narrow ridge of high pressure moves in. “Wednesday is the best day of the week if you’re looking for settled and dry weather but by Thursday a low in the Tasman Sea will gain strength and move in”.

“We’re not ringing any alarm bells but we’re just advising those in slip or flood prone areas to be aware of the system.  It’s still early days as to how much rain it could bring in and where it’s likely to fall”.

The Weather Watch Centre expects rain or showers across most places on Friday or Saturday with cold weather expected to continue over the South Island.