Wanaka gets choppy before cold snap

Wind gusts reaching more than 70kmh buffeted Wanaka yesterday afternoon, turning the lake choppy and creating waves almost high enough to surf.

MetService meteorologist Peter Little said the strong northwesterly flow was ahead of a southerly front moving across on to the lower South Island bringing much colder temperatures and snow down to 300m above sea level.

Mr Little said it was typical to have very changeable weather at this time of the year.