There's more chaotic, muddled spring weather on its way as a brief weekend warm stint makes way next week for a cold blast.
After a chilly few days, the snow flurries, roaring winds and dismal downpours will succumb this weekend, with the majority of New Zealand expected to bask in warm weather. Some areas can expect to climb past 20C.
- Auckland slammed by strong gales, South Island blanketed in snow
- Thunderstorms, shock 0C warnings for New Zealand
- 'Cold shot' to drive temperatures down 10C next week
Weatherwatch forecasts that most of the South Island will be warmer than usual on Friday, while about 80 percent of the nation will have a balmy Saturday. Temperatures could be up to 8C higher than normal in some parts of the south on Saturday.
The forecaster said that should be good news "for farmers who have been working tirelessly to protect newborn lambs" as overnight lows are warming up.
"No one should be below average this weekend day or night in the South Island."
Some in the north will be slightly below normal, however.
But while that sultry weather might allow for a weekend outside, Weatherwatch says there is a "cold alert" in place for early next week with a chance of snow flurries in the south.
That won't be good news for newborn stock, with Monday and Tuesday expected to "produce miserable conditions with sub-zero wind chills for a time and Wednesday may linger cold too for a time".
"The cold air next week is mostly in the lower half of the South Island and goes from Monday to Wednesday with single-digit highs in some areas," Weatherwatch said.
"Snow flurries are possible to 100 or 200m around Northern Southland and perhaps some parts of Otago for a brief time but again whether you get a flurry or not is almost beside the point, it's the cold + dampness that is the real issue for newborn lambs."
There's a similar warning from Metservice as the school holidays also begin next week.
The forecaster says blast of cold air and spring snow - likely in inland parts of the South Island and the Desert Rd - which could mean a "danger to young livestock", "road closures" and "rapid drops in temperature".
It said more details about the potential impact of the chilly weather will be provided closer to the start of next week.
Newshub.
