Weather forecasters say a low-pressure system moving up the country on Sunday will bring snow, rain and the chance of thunderstorms to many.
MetService says a southwest front is moving over the south of the South Island, bringing with it a low to the west of the South Island.
Those travelling on the roads in the South Island are being urged to take care, as snowfall is expected across the mainland on Sunday.
An orange heavy snow warning is in place for the Mackenzie District beginning at lunchtime and continuing until 9pm on Sunday night.
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There is expected to be around 15cm to 25cm of snow above 600 metres which can affect power lines, roads, trees and cause stress for livestock.
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MetService has warned Sunday morning may bring snowfall down to 400m in Central Otago about and west of Alexandra, including the Queenstown Lakes District, with a heavy snow watch in place between 9am and 2pm.
The weather front is expected to move northeast over the central and northern regions from Sunday afternoon and into early Monday, bringing periods of rain to most places.
MetService
A raft of weather warnings and watches are in place across New Zealand on Sunday.
Cold southerly winds are forecast to follow the front, bringing snow down to 400 to 500 metres in Canterbury, Otago, Southland and Fiordland.
MetService warned it was highly likely that the South Island’s high altitude roads at would be affected by snow.
High country farmers in Otago and Canterbury were urged to prepare for the potential of significant snowfall.
With the heavy snow watch comes road warnings, particularly on the Lewis Pass (SH7), Arthur’s Pass (SH73), Porters Pass (SH73), Haast Pass (SH6), Lindis Pass (SH8), Crown Range Road, Milford Road (SH94) and Dunedin-Waitati Highway (SH1).
Stuff
Snow warnings and watches are in place for the South Island.
On the West Coast, Westland south of Otira can expect periods of rainfall, with a heavy rain watch in place for 24 hours from 9am on Sunday.
Heavy rain watches are also in place for Canterbury north of Arthur’s Pass and Marlborough east of Awatere Valley overnight on Sunday, with rainfall potentially reaching warning levels.
Further north, Nelson, Buller and Westland including the Grey District are also under strong wind watches for much of Sunday and into Monday morning, with winds approaching severe gale in exposed places – particularly inland areas.
Strong wind watches are in place for Wellington and the Marlborough sounds from Monday morning until late on Monday, with south to southeast wind approaching severe gale at times. A similar watch will come into place for Taranaki from 6pm Monday through to Tuesday morning.
METSERVICE
Snow for the South Island on Sunday
MetService forecaster Gerard Bellam said it is extremely important that drivers in the South Island keep an eye on the road warnings.
But for those further north, the temperatures are roughly back to average for the start of winter, Bellam said, with Auckland starting off dry on Sunday. However, showers and possible thunderstorms are expected to plague the afternoon, with a high of 16C.
It’s a similar outlook for Wellington, where showers are expected to develop and northerly winds are anticipated, as the capital city reaches 15C.
There will be strong cold southerlies and rain developing in the afternoon in Christchurch but a high of 14C will be felt before it comes through.
The brightest spot will be the northeast of the North Island in the Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne area, with an expected high of around 16C-17C.
The front moving up the country on Sunday comes with the chance of thunderstorms for many, bringing on a potentially thundery night in the north.
MetService says there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms developing around Northland overnight on Sunday, with small tornadoes even possible.
The West Coast is at a low risk of seeing thunderstorm activity on Sunday morning, while the top of the South Island, Taranaki and Auckland also see a low risk of thunderstorms developing on Sunday evening.
As a weather front moves northeast on Monday, Hawke’s Bay, Coromandel Peninsula and Gisborne could all see a drenching as heavy rain watches are placed over the three regions from Monday morning through to Tuesday.
MetService warned the heavy rain watches in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay could both be upgraded to warnings later on Sunday.
