The weekend is looking cold and windy once again – as snow sticks around and falls to lower levels across Saturday and Sunday.

 

Friday

Strong west to southwesterly winds ease in the evening and overnight on Friday, winds gusting to gale about many regions on the coast.

A few snow flurries continue during the day about the Central Plateau down to 700m (perhaps 600m at a push).

Snow flurries also about Southland / Otago to 300m, not heavy but it’s cold. 
Also snow flurries on the western side of the southern alps again down to 400m this time. 
Most of the South Island’s snow will ease up in the afternoon.

 

Saturday

Rain for the west of the country, heavy at times with possible thunderstorms. 
There’s a lower risk of heavy rain for the west of the North Island, while it’s a moderate risk for the west of the South Island.

Snow flurries for Southland, Otago and the western side of the southern alps again from afternoon & evening – lowering to 400m, perhaps 300m about parts of Southland & Otago, then 200m about the far south overnight.
Snow for the Central Plateau overnight lowering to 500m.

Strong northwesterly winds through central parts of the country during the day then overnight strong to gale southwesterly winds spread over many parts of New Zealand once again, the western side of the North Island and the southeastern corner of the South Island seeing gale winds likely overnight, especially on the coast.

 

Sunday

Snow about Fiordland, Southland and Otago falls right down to 200m at their lowest, then gradually lifting to 400m by evening – at which point shower activity clears away.
Snow flurries about the ranges, from Greymouth northwards, fall to to 400m lift during the day to above 800m overnight.

Snow about the Central Plateau falls down to around 500m, though this eases during the day, and lifts to 700m by evening – at which point snow clears away.

Strong southwesterly winds ease over the country during the day also – with coastal areas in the west most exposed to it.

– Please note, the idea behind this update is to focus on the main weather highlights, which is why not all regions are mentioned. 

For specific 10 day information for your city, town, rural community or island please see the 1000 forecasts on our homepage!

– Aaron Wilkinson & Drew Chappell, WeatherWatch.co.nz