New Zealand is about to be hit by an enormous low pressure system described as "right up there with some of the world's largest storms".
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The giant Southern Ocean weather system will lead to an "Antarctic blast" smashing New Zealand, with significant and severe bad weather. WeatherWatch's Philip Duncan warns it could lead to gale-force winds, heavy rain, highway closures and flight delays.
"An enormous low pressure system will deepen over the Southern Tasman Sea and New Zealand area this weekend, leading to an Antarctic blast in the South Island next week," Duncan says.
"At this stage it looks as though the coldest portion of this weather will arrive next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, mostly over the South Island and lower North Island."
This low is so significant the air pressure could drop into the 940hPa range - "right up there with some of the world's largest storms", according to WeatherWatch.
"The most likely risks will be heavy West Coast rain, then bitterly cold southerlies up to gale force in exposed areas and snow levels once again lowering to sea level in the south around Fiordland and maybe Southland and Otago too," WeatherWatch says.
"Highway closures and flight delays and cancellations are all possible next week in New Zealand."
Newshub.
