The cold air will keep temperatures low right through the week with Thursday looking to be the coldest. MetService Meteorologist Jessie Owen says, “Overnight low temperatures are expected to take a tumble. Sub-zero lows are expected for much of the South Island, while large parts of the North Island can expect lows in the range of -2 to 3 °C. This will make for some frosty mornings so ensure you rug up warm for your morning commutes, and remember to take some extra time to defrost your windscreens before heading out.”
Daytime temperatures are also relatively low with Auckland forecast to reach 13 °C on Thursday, Hamilton 12 °C, and Wellington only 9 °C. For the South Island; Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill are all expected to reach 8 °C on Thursday, with Queenstown only warming up to a chilly 6 °C. With this southwesterly flow covering the country, there will definitely be an extra nip in the air.
Along with the cold comes the snow. A pair of fronts moving up the country today (Monday) have ushered in cold showery conditions to the lower South Island. Southland and Clutha can expect snow as low as 300-400 metres, while Dunedin, Otago, and the Queenstown Lakes District are forecast to see snow above 400-600 metres. Road snowfall warnings are in force for Milford Road, Crown Range Road, Lindis Pass, the Dunedin to Waitati Highway, Arthur’s Pass, and Porters Pass http://bit.ly/AllWarnings.
Another cold front is expected to move northwards over the South Island late Tuesday and Wednesday, and the North Island early Thursday. This will bring a period of rain, with snow falling to low levels in the south and east of the South Island, as well as central and southern parts of the North Island. Good news for ski fields, but make sure to check the road conditions before heading out as snow is likely to affect high country roads.
For media enquiries or to arrange an interview with one of our meteorologists please call 04 4700 848 or email metcomms@metservice.com
Understanding MetService Severe Weather Warning System
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings (Localised Red Warning) – take cover now:
This warning is a red warning for a localised area.
When extremely severe weather is occurring or will do within the hour.
Severe thunderstorms have the ability to have significant impacts for an area indicated in the warning.
In the event of a Severe Thunderstorm Red Warning: Act now!
Red Warnings are about taking immediate action:
When extremely severe weather is imminent or is occurring
Issued when an event is expected to be among the worst that we get – it will have significant impact and it is possible that a lot of people will be affected
In the event of a Red Warning: Act now!
Orange Warnings are about taking action:
When severe weather is imminent or is occurring
Typically issued 1 – 3 days in advance of potential severe weather
In the event of an Orange Warning: Take action.
Thunderstorm Watch means thunderstorms are possible, be alert and consider action
Show the area that thunderstorms are most likely to occur during the validity period.
Although thunderstorms are often localised, the whole area is on watch as it is difficult to know exactly where the severe thunderstorm will occur within the mapped area.
During a thunderstorm Watch: Stay alert and take action if necessary.
Watches are about being alert:
When severe weather is possible, but not sufficiently imminent or certain for a warning to be issued
Typically issued 1 – 3 days in advance of potential severe weather.
During a Watch: Stay alert
Outlooks are about looking ahead:
To provide advanced information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings
Issued routinely once or twice a day
Recommendation: Plan
