Loving the sunny, settled and fairly mild weather across New Zealand lately? If so, make the most of today and Friday as time is almost up before colder, wetter, weather returns.

WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters are predicting a wintry change for the deep south over Saturday and Sunday heading in to the North Island on Sunday.

For a few hours the air will be coming from very near Antarctica so temperatures are expected to plummet in Southland and Otago on Sunday with WeatherWatch.co.nz predicting snow to few a hundred metres and sleet possibly to sea level around the Catlins.

Temperature-wise and eastern parts of the South Island have been amongst the warmest areas of New Zealand over the past 10 days – that will come to an end this weekend as winds shift more southerly.

But despite the air coming from near Antarctica it won’t be a repeat of the polar blast last month.  “Last months polar blast swiped all of New Zealand, this one is simply nicking the deep south” said weather analyst Richard Green.  “However even if conditions aren’t severe most of us will notice the definite colder change and stronger south west winds as far north as Northland”.

Precipitation amounts will be significantly less than the last cold change.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz