Snow likely as mercury drops

Rain is likely to be followed by a series of fronts bringing cold southwesterlies from today. Photo / Richard Robinson

A blast of cold weather is set to move across the country this week as icy southwesterlies bring snow and severe frosts.

The MetService said the week would begin wet and windy but relatively mild, followed swiftly by a biting south-to-southwesterly flow.

Meteorologist Liz Walsh said rain would be followed by a series of fronts bringing cold southwesterlies from today, causing temperatures to drop to single figures in Dunedin and below freezing in Christchurch overnight.

Ms Walsh said the cold southwesterlies were expected to linger for most of the week. "For the North Island, we're looking at snow showers possible about the higher-level roads in the central North Island."

Temperatures would take "a little bit of a dive" from today.

WeatherWatch said many main centres would have calm, dry, sunny weather this week, despite a couple of cold, windy surges in the mix.

Week ahead

Auckland
Morning rain today, briefly heavy, then showers easing. Showers and fine spells tomorrow, showers and strong gusty southwesterlies on Thursday and showers and increasing fine spells on Friday.
A high of 15C today, cooling to 13C from tomorrow.

Hamilton
Rain clearing today. Similar weather to Auckland for the remainder of the week. Overnight lows between 2-4C from tonight, with some ground frost expected.

Wellington
Fine spells and fresh northwesterlies today, with showers in the evening and a southerly change. Early and evening showers tomorrow, showers and fine spells increasing on Thursday and fine apart from a few showers on Friday.