Rough weather over New Zealand still has a couple more days to go predicts WeatherWatch.co.nz and while conditions will start to ease in the far north on Thursday it will be a number of days before the gentler conditions spread to the deep south.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says that it will remain windy over many regions on Wednesday with winds expected to intensify again in the afternoon and evening, possibly to severe gale force.

The wind direction will change, however, to south westerlies for many places.  That could mean some areas may see winds easing while new areas will be more exposed.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says it will all come down to the localised geographical set up.

Windiest places on Wednesday will be Southland, Otago, Canterbury (near the Southern Alps), Marlborough, Wellington and especially Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay.

Gale force south westerlies mean another unpleasant day in Southland with more sleet, hail and snow flurries to very low levels.  The forecast is similar for Thursday – however MetService is now saying there’s a moderate risk that snow will be heavy enough in Southland to prompt a new snow warning.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says there is some good news – the weekend is looking slightly warmer with a lower chance of gales.

Image / Snow on Sunday at the Invercargill railyards – Malcolm Gayfer