A fast moving cold snap is on the way up the country today thanks to a large low in the Southern Ocean.  The cold snap could bring stress to new born lambs however it’s speed means the cold weather wont linger more than a couple of days.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says last night the first cold front arrived in the lower South Island creating a stark contrast in temperatures.  “At 7pm Dunedin was on 11 while up the road in Timaru it was 19.  Invercargill went back to winter last night with only 8 degrees around sunset and a howling south-westerly blowing up to 80km/h”.

Winds were strong further north in the Capital with gusts to 115km/h on the hills and gales gusting up to 80km/h downtown. 

But this morning those winds have eased right across the country but the colder air has definitely shifted north.  The third front to cross New Zealand in 24 hours is now moving across the North Island.

Showers will also move up New Zealand’s west coast today.   On the east coast conditions are likely to improve quickly.  “In Christchurch the skies should clear later today but it will be cold tonight – could be even be a frost”.

Mr Duncan says temperatures will be well down for the next few days with highs in single digits for some Southland and Otago towns.   “Places like Invercargill, Gore and Queenstown will be hovering around 8 or 9 degrees today or tomorrow and with the wind chill tomorrow it may feel more like 2 or 3 in some exposed places”.

Wellington is likely to receive rain or showers today along with a biting southerly reminiscent of winter while Aucklanders and those in the Waikato will duck under passing showers carried along in a cold sou’wester.

Mr Duncan says Tauranga and Gisborne will probably be the two warmest and driest towns despite a few showers today.

What’s it like where you are right now?  Post a comment below!