A cold snap predicted by WeatherWatch.co.nz last month is moving closer to New Zealand and will hit the ‘reset’ button for winter temperatures.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says snow and much lower temperatures are again in the forecast following what has been a stunningly warm week for some parts of New Zealand.  “We’ve had highs of 20 degrees in some eastern areas and over the next 48 hours more highs in the late teens and early twenties are likely – mainly in eastern areas”.

Mr Duncan says a fresh surge of westerlies will move up the country over Friday and more into the North Island over the weekend.  Northern New Zealand is likely to be furthest from the strong winds while eastern and southern areas of both islands are again in the firing line.  Winds may reach over gale force at times in the coming days.

However by Sunday a developing cold change will move in.  In our July report to Fonterra last month WeatherWatch.co.nz said a colder change was likely around July 9 to 13.   At the time we made that prediction some models were predicting a ‘stormy’ southerly, however it’s now looking far less aggressive – but still noticeably cold.

Snow may fall to low levels on the ranges in Southland and Otago around Monday and Tuesday then could affect the North Island’s desert road late Tuesday and into Wednesday.  WeatherWatch.co.nz also predicts more snow for the Ruapehi ski fields.

Temperatures in the main South Island centres will reset to more normal mid-winter levels next week.   Parts of Canterbury may reach 20 degrees today – but by Monday the high is 12 degrees and by Tuesday just 10.  Further south Dunedin and Invercargill have a high of just 7 on Tuesday.

The colder change will be followed by a frosty high later next week.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz