A cold snap is racing up the country today and will bring wintry conditions to both islands.

There’s quite a bit going on, so to keep it simple we’ve broken the forecast into two sections, for each island.

South Island

Cold southerlies push into Otago and Southland this morning, Snow is expected to low levels (100 / 200 metres) but may go to sea level briefly in some snow showers.  Hail is expected too. Winds are from the south or south west and will be blustery and cold. 

Showers, some heavy, will affect the eastern coastline with snow falling to low levels in the afternoon further north in Canterbury. We may see some snow to sea level overnight and into Monday but don’t expect high totals – it may not even settle.

Despite this cold, snowy, wintry snap for southern and eastern areas the West Coast, Nelson and Marlborough may have a fairly dry and sunny day ahead thanks to the wind flow, which will see the Southern Alps blocking most of the weather for you.

Snow may affect some alpine passes, but most of the snow will be falling in southern and eastern areas – little precipitation is expected through inland parts of the ranges.

Highs: 5 to 7 for most southern and eastern main centres.  7 to 10 degrees elsewhere.

North Island
The low to east of Gisborne intensifies today as it gets a shot of cold energy from the incoming southerly.  Rain will continue to fall along the North Island’s east coast from East Cape to Wairarapa.  Heaviest rain will be around Gisborne and Hawkes Bay.  Again, flooding is possible in some areas.

Elsewhere expect showers and dry spells with rain possible in Northland.  Some areas may be fairly sunny as well, in places that are protected by ranges to the south or east.

In Wellington showers will increases as a southerly pushes in today and rises to gale force.  The day will get colder with snow lowering to 600m then 300m tonight.  The wind chill will make temperatures feel a few to several degrees colder.

Snow may affect the Rimutaka Ranges tonight and will most likely affect State Highway 1, the Desert Road, from this afternoon until Tuesday. Snow is also possible overnight on the Napier – Taupo highway, State highway 5.

Highs: 8 to 13 degrees for the most part.

(C) – WeatherWatch.co.nz