It looks as though the warm weather will come to an end this weekend in the South Island as a southerly change moves through.

Forecasters are predicting snow to low levels in Southland and a risk of snow on higher altitude parts of Canterbury and Otago.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says at this stage it’s too early to be sure who will be worst hit.  “With any snow event it’s very hard to pinpoint too far in advance who will be worst affected” says head weather analyst Philip Duncan.  “Certainly those in Southland will again be most exposed to the snowy southerly”.

Mr Duncan says it doesn’t appear to be a repeat of the big snow storm of September but that farmers in the region should be well aware of the upcoming change to protect livestock.  “Again it’s likely to be a the wind chill which will be more of an issue for newborn lambs”.

MetService has included Southland in their most recent Severe Weather Outlook.   “A very cold southwest airstream is forecast to spread across the South Island during Sunday. This is expected to bring snow showers to low levels across Fiordland, Southland, Clutha and Dunedin, but especially about the hills above 200 metres” says the crown forecaster.

“The risk of snowfall accumulations reaching warning criteria in these areas is generally low. However, the combination of snow showers and strong cold southwesterlies is likely to place stress on livestock, especially new born lambs and calves”.
 

Homepage image / snow in Invercargill last month, Malcolm Gayfer