It may be still Autumn but winter fired a warning shot across New Zealand on Monday and Tuesday – and it could be a hint of things to come this winter.

WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst Philip Duncan says the current weather pattern around New Zealand is a chaotic and messy one.  “Many people hear of weather terms like El Nino and La Nino and both often create strong and more predictable weather patterns.  The weather pattern New Zealand has been in since 2011 is a chaotic one that can see anything happen”.

Mr Duncan says the 2011 chaotic pattern saw a high over Tasmania in August of that year couple up with a low south east of Dunedin, creating a wintry blast that saw light snow falling in downtown Auckland.

On Tuesday Aucklanders shivered at what is normally the hottest time of the day – early to mid afternoon – when the mercury tumbled to just 6 degrees with passing rain and hail showers.  The wind chill wasn’t severe in Auckland but the dampness that northern regions have over southern ones can make for colder, damper, homes which are harder to warm up.

“This cold snap, just weeks after the worst drought in 50 years ended, might help explain why we call this pattern a ‘chaotic’ one…anything can happen”.

Mr Duncan says this same pattern will remain across winter meaning more variety in the weather.  “We are likely to see a variety of weather this winter and forecasters may struggle to accurately go beyond a few weeks with their long term predictions because of this”.

Last winter no major snow storm affected the entire nation, instead severe weather in 2012 was often in isolated parts of the country.

The weather events so far this year seem to be more widespread – from the droughts to this nationwide cold snap.

If you’re not a fan of the cold, don’t worry – warmer weather returns by Friday or the weekend for most regions.

– Homepage image / File, Malcolm Gayfer

– WeatherWatch.co.nz