Settled weather gives way to more rain and snow

Snow warnings have now been issued for North Island roads and alpine passes in the south as a cold snap starts to hit the country.

After a few days of fairly settled weather, most of the country is in for rain and strong southerlies today.

Snow has started to fall across inland Canterbury. The MetService has now issued a swathe of road snow warnings including the Desert and Rimutaka Hill Rds.

Up to 10cm of snow is expected to fall in the central plateau highway from midnight tonight until midnight Saturday.

Snow showers will start falling on the Rimutaka Hill Rd from tomorrow afternoon until Saturday morning. About 5cm of snow is expected to accumlate on the highway.

Road Snowfall Warning issued for Desert Rd, Rimutaka Hill road, Lewis Pass, Arthur's Pass, Porters Pass... https://t.co/SHCRGGRjWa

— Severe Weather Info (@MetServiceWARN) July 26, 2017

MetService meteorologist Tom Bell said a front from the west today would bring rain for most of the North Island.

Further south, a heavy rain warning is in place for south of Westland as another front moves up the South Island pushing rain ahead of it.

South of Otira, 80 to 120mm of rain was forecast about the ranges until about midday today on top of what had already fallen. Between 50 and 80mm is likely nearer the coast.

North Otago and Canterbury were also likely to get heavy rain exceeding 50mm today.

Snow was forecast down to 200-300m in Southland, Otago, Canterbury and Kaikoura. Heavy snow above 500m about inland Canterbury will affect many higher roads in the region, he said.

MetService have issued a severe weather warning for rain and snow https://t.co/Sd5C6lrsSL Here is an image from Mount Cook this morning. ^AB pic.twitter.com/YBr2GMHYsG

— MetService (@MetService) July 26, 2017

Bell said a strong southerly wind behind the front would reach Wellington and the lower half of the North Island this evening.

Temperatures were expected to be relatively mild today, with highs of 15C or 16C in Auckland and Northland and 13C in Wellington.

The cold front moving up the South Island was expected to move up over the North Island through Friday bringing or showers to most areas, especially the east.

Bell said heavy rain and a strong southerly were expected to hit Wairarapa, Hawke's Bay and Gisborne early tomorrow.

He said it looked like a ridge was bearing down over the country, which should bring clear weather for the weekend.

Showers should clear Saturday morning, leaving settled weather for the remainder of the weekend, he said.

Today's forecast

Auckland and Northland:

A few showers, turning to rain for a time afternoon/evening, chance heavy. Gusty northerly, easing and turning westerly evening. High: 15C

Tauranga:

A few showers developing morning, then rain for a time this evening. Northerly strengthening, then easing tonight. High: 16C

Gisborne:

Becoming cloudy afternoon, occasional rain from evening. Northwesterlies. High: 17C

Wellington:

Periods of rain, heavy morning and evening. Strong northerlies changing gale southerly this evening. High: 12C

Christchurch:

Rain setting in during morning, with snow to 600 metres about Banks Peninsula. Fresh southerly developing morning. High: 10C

Dunedin:

Occasional rain, falling as snow above 400 metres, lowering to 300 metres by evening. Southerlies. High: 8C