A brief but wintry snap is today brushing New Zealand from a deep low in the Southern Ocean.  A few snow flurries are possible down to a couple hundred metres in the South Island while wind chills will be below zero in exposed southern places.

After several warm weeks right over the country (the warmest August on record) today marks the start of three or four cold days and nights right across New Zealand.

The cold snap isn’t going to be severe but for those who have already put their heaters away for the year they may find they’re reaching for them again tonight.

Frosts are likely to form across the South Island by tomorrow morning with heavier frosts on Saturday as winds die out under a ridge of high pressure.

In the North Island a few brief showers may affect the north and west this evening with more frequent showers in the east – but nothing significant.  South easterlies, partially fuelled by a low that will track east of the North Island over the next few days, will be fresh at times in exposed places from Gisborne to Auckland and Northland – easing on Sunday.

Some frosts are likely on either Saturday or Sunday morning.  Warmer weather should arrive by Monday.