Weather: Cold snap to hit New Zealand next week as cold front races up from Southern Ocean

24/03/2023
Caitlin Rawling

The cold snap is expected to hit NZ next week. Photo credit: Twitter/MetService

New Zealand is expected to be hit by a "sharp cold change" next week as a cold front races up from the Southern Ocean.

"A sharp cold change will be felt across the South Island on Tuesday with a dusting of snow across the peaks of the motu with this front," MetService said.

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After reaching the far south on Tuesday, MetService said it will spread to most other places by Wednesday.

WeatherWatch said it could see highs drop by over 10C in the South Island.

"It's part of the encroaching autumn weather pattern which will see more westerlies and more southerly changes over the weeks and months ahead - as we head towards winter," WeatherWatch said.

It comes after many places experienced their coldest temperature of the year so far on Thursday morning thanks to southerly breezes and clear skies, with Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga airports recording temperatures of 10.7C, 3.5C and 9.5C respectively.