Cold snap expected to bring snow

A cold snap tomorrow could catch motorists out as the warm weather departs and snow to low levels moves in to the far south.

MetService meteorologist John Law said the combination of strong winds and cold temperatures would lead to severe wind chill in the far south and blizzard-like conditions around higher terrain.

"The warmest place on Wednesday was Dunedin Airport with a top temperature of 24degC," said Mr Law.

"However, as we head into the weekend we are going see maximum temperatures return to the mid-teens across many parts of the country."

Winds are forecast to strengthen before the cold change arrives, with severe gales forecast for parts of New Zealand.

"Stronger winds can be expected, especially in the lee of the Southern Alps over inland Canterbury. Winds are also likely to increase overnight Thursday into Friday for Wellington, Wairarapa and Central Hawkes Bay," Mr Law said.

Motorists have been warned snow was expected about the passes of the South Island overnight tonight and on the Desert Road in the North Island later tomorrow.

Snow is expected on Dunedin's hills. 

Drew Chappell from WeatherWatch.co.nz said most of the country was in for at least a few showers, as the dominant system brought a fair amount of rain.

Regions in the west and south of New Zealand were set to cool across the day tomorrow, and there was a high chance of showers for much of the day.

"In the North Island, at this point Friday isn't looking flash," he said.

"Wellington will see morning rain and strong northwesterlies to start the day, but these should clear as the system turns to the west.

"Further up in the East Coast, those northwesterlies will strengthen, cloud will thicken up and there could be a few showers passing through in the afternoon too.

"The same goes further north -- the odd shower is possible early on, and also with the westerly change we're picking for Friday afternoon for both Auckland and most of Northland."

By Saturday, Auckland would have a high of only 13degC or 14degC with frequent showers and windy southwesterlies. By next week, the sun should return and so too would the warmth and more dry weather.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Whangarei: Showers becoming heavy in the afternoon tomorrow and Saturday and clearing Sunday. Strong westerlies.

Auckland: Showers tomorrow and Saturday and clearing on Sunday. Gale southwesterlies on Saturday.

Hamilton: Showers tomorrow and over the weekend. Strong westerlies tomorrow will turn cool southwesterlies on Saturday.

Tauranga: Showers clearing by Saturday. Strong westerly turning gusty southwesterlies on Saturday and easing on Sunday.

Wellington: A few showers tomorrow and over the weekend. Northwest gales with a southwest change on Saturday.

Christchurch: A few showers tomorrow and Saturday before a fine day on Sunday. Cold southwesterlies changing northwest on Sunday.

Dunedin: Showers and strong southwesterlies tomorrow and Saturday. Mainly fine and northwesterly winds on Sunday.

- By Sophie Ryan of APNZ

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