Here’s what is making the weather headlines today.

🚨❄️☃️#UPDATED: Latest #Snow Accumulation Maps

1pm today – 1pm Thursdayhttps://t.co/gb7E1quzdb / https://t.co/D35ySCkVqG – powered by @IBM pic.twitter.com/WEujkggMCe

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) October 5, 2022

#Question: When is the main pulse of Antarctic air arriving in NZ?#Answer: It moves up the South Island this afternoon and evening, then over the North Island tonight and Thursday morning. That's when sea level, or low level, snow is most likely.#NewZealand #weather 🥶❄️

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) October 4, 2022

COLDEST OUTBREAK OF THE YEAR MOVING IN

A series of cold fronts push northwards over the country today, the second for the South Island this afternoon brings the coldest air and brings the potential for sea level snow in the south and eventually east later this evening.

The details of today’s outbreak haven’t changed from yesterday’s headlines but no doubt Phil will give you a run down in his video update coming out around midday.

Snow to sea level, strong southwesterlies with coastal gales, small hail, chance of thunder, very cold wind chill factor……. those are the key phrases / words for today and into overnight.

Please check out today’s watches and warnings from Metservice here.

COLD SOUTHWESTERLIES / SHOWERS IN THE EAST ON THURSDAY

The cold outbreak isn’t over when it comes to Thursday, southwesterlies are still strong in the east with showers pushing into Southland / Otago and up coastal Canterbury. The eastern North Island continues to have showers too while showers out west clear away in the afternoon.

Snow near or to sea level in the morning for the South Island in the south and east lifts to 400m during the afternoon and evening respectively. The eastern North Island has snow flurries to 300m, perhaps as low as 100m in the morning for Wellington and southern Wairarapa.

The West Coast has a sunny day.

FROST RISK

A frost risk exists for Thursday morning, Friday morning and perhaps Saturday morning too. Keep an eye on this page here for more on the upcoming frost risk.

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