Snow to low levels and thunderstorms are possible in the South as a cold front moves across the country in coming days.
MetService today issued road snow warnings for several South Island highways, including State Highway 8 (Lindis Pass), SH6 (Haast Pass), the Crown Range Road and SH94 (Milford Road).
The forecaster said a front, preceded by strong northwesterlies and followed by a brief period of strong southwesterlies, was predicted to move east across central and northern New Zealand today, then to move away to the east late this afternoon and evening.
A cold southwesterly outbreak was then expected to bring snow to low levels in the far south tomorrow. The heaviest falls were expected in Fiordland where a Heavy Snow Watch is now in force.
MetService said the cold front would move across the country tomorrow afternoon and evening, and the associated cold air would increase instability, creating the chance of thunderstorms.
There was a moderate risk of thunderstorms about Westland, Fiordland, Southland and Clutha during the afternoon. These storms could bring localised heavy rain, hail and winds gusting 100kmh.
Isolated thunderstorms were also expected to develop with a southerly change in the afternoon about eastern areas of Otago and Canterbury.
Roads
Lindis Pass
Between 7am and 9pm tomorrow expect 4 to 8cm of snow to settle on the road above 800 metres, with lesser amounts down to 400m.
Haast Pass
Between 2pm and 8pm tomorrow, 1 to 2cm of snow may settle on the road above 400m.
Crown Range Road
Between 6am and 8pm, expect 2 to 5cm of snow to settle above 800m, with lesser amounts down to 400ms.
Milford Road
Between 8pm today and 8am tomorrow, 5 to 10cm of snow may settle on the road near the tunnel, with lesser amounts down to 500m. Another period of snow is expected Wednesday afternoon and evening. Between 2pm
and 9pm, 5 to 10cm of snow may settle above 600m, with lesser amounts down to 200 metres.
