Otago residents might experience a sense of deja vu this week as again fantastic weekend weather gives way to hail, wind and showers.
Just like last week when weekend temperatures exceeded 20degC and then dropped to nearly single figures, similar unsettled weather is forecast for Otago this week.
MetService meteorologist Rob Kerr said a series of volatile fronts would herald an unusually late cold spell this week.
''The temperatures ... will be well down for the time of year, with gales, hail and thunderstorms thrown into the mix.''
The South Island would bear the brunt of the unsettled weather, as a wedge of warm, moist air moved over from the Tasman Sea last night, he said.
The broad cold trough was expected to bring snow to above 500m on the hills and ranges.
There was also a moderate risk of hail and thunderstorms for the next few days in the region, including Dunedin.
Temperatures were only expected to reach 12degC.
On Thursday, a showery southwest flow was expected to cover the country, with strong northwesterlies developing over the South Island on Friday.
This front was forecast to bring heavy rain to Fiordland on Friday night with spillover into the headwaters of Otago and Canterbury rivers.
The weather on the coast was to settle down and remain mostly fine and dry for Friday, although northwesterlies were likely to reach gale force in Southland and Clutha at night.
Another swift moving front was expected on Saturday and Sunday.
