We have a special long range forecast today, right through until Tuesday of next week as we track a potential second polar blast for parts of NZ.

The cold south west flow over New Zealand today has affected flights in and out of Dunedin, affected farms and highways and brought squally hail showers to the western North Island.

On Sunday it even brought snow to sea level on the West Coast, which is rare. Conditions warm up this week and some will even have sub-tropical breezes for a time.

There’s a brief localised South Island southerly on Thursday then this weekend a large low crosses the country with rain and showers. But it’s next week where NZ may once again face another southerly – and potentially, this one may be even colder for some if long range models pan out.