KEY POINTS:
A bitterly cold blast is expected to sweep through the country and a dusting of snow may reach as far north as the Coromandel Ranges.
TRN's Weather Watch Centre is expecting a big southern storm to hit the country during the weekend and last through until the middle of next week.
Head weather analyst Phillip Duncan says snow is forecast for Invercargill, Dunedin, Queenstown, Cromwell and Timaru. Light snow could fall on the high peaks of the Kaimai and possibly the Coromandel Ranges on Wednesday. Heavy rain is likely to fall in the South Island on Sunday and should help to boost hydro lake levels.
Mr Duncan says if a predicted high lingers for longer than expected, it will soften the impact of the southerly.
- NEWSTALK ZB
