A cold front and southerly has significantly cut temperatures back in the South Island today. Temperatures are markedly low because of the dominant southerly winds and the lack of daytime sunshine.

Maximum temperatures may struggle to even reach 10C in some areas. 

Parts of Canterbury will be over 8 degrees colder than average for mid March.

In the east cloudy weather or light rain is likely on Thursday and Friday as well. The colder air somewhat brushes the North Island but it’s mostly a South Island event.

By Friday and the weekend things slowly start to warm up again. Next week westerlies may kick in pushing highs back into the 20s for these areas.

MAPS SHOWING HOW MUCH COLDER (OR WARMER) IT IS COMPARED TO NORMAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR:

– WeatherWatch.co.nz (an IBM business partner).