Wintry storms looming

Snow is being forecast for parts of New Zealand this week. Image: NIWA/Twitter

New Zealand may be almost halfway through spring, but don't put away your warm layers yet - there's a wintry storm on the horizon.

NIWA says there was potential for a "significant wintry storm" later this week and it may bring freezing temperatures and widespread snow for the south.

"October has been tranquil so far, but that may change by [Thursday to Friday]: snow, strong/gusty winds and some heavy rainfall along with a sharp cold snap is possible," Niwa said on Twitter.

It warned people to "keep an eye on the forecast".

MetService says people should make the most of the settled start to the week.

"As we head into the later part of the week a complex low is set to move over New Zealand from the west.

"The low is likely to bring strong winds and a dose of heavy rain to several regions, even snow to 400 metres is possible in the south."

It's expected to kick off late on Tuesday when a high lying over the North Island should move off to the east.

Late Tuesday or early Wednesday, a front was expected to move from the Tasman Sea onto the south of the South Island, bringing heavy rain.

"Several lows are expected to develop on the low and lie over the North Island on Friday, bringing strong cold southerlies to the South Island on Wednesday and the North Island on Friday. There is likely to be some significant snowfalls as well, mainly about the higher ground," says the MetService.

On Wednesday, Metservice is predicting increasing cloud and showers developing west of Taupo, but fine spells elsewhere for the North Island.

However, in the South Island, rain with heavy falls were expected in the west, spreading north throughout the day, with snow lowering to 400-500m in Otago and Southland at night.

Thursday was expected to be cloudy for periods with a few showers in the west and north of the North Island and mainly fine in the east.

The South Island could expect rain with heavy falls in the west and north, but a few showers in Fiordland and elsewhere, with snow to 400m in Otago and Southland.

On Friday, MetService says there's a chance that snow will fall above about 400m in northern Southland, Central Otago, Canterbury, Marlborough and Nelson. Snow may also develop about the central North Island.

Gale southerlies associated with the lows were likely to affect eastern areas of the South Island and southern North Island late on Thursday and during Friday.

-Stuff

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.