New Zealand is set for an unsettled start to the upcoming school holidays, with rain, strong winds and possible heavy snow expected across parts of the country over the next few days.
According to a report by 1News, after much of the country enjoyed clear and sunny conditions on Thursday, MetService has warned that a series of cold fronts will bring a significant shift in the weather heading into the weekend.
MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris told 1News that showers were likely on Friday and Saturday, although neither day was expected to bring major disruption.
The most challenging weather was forecast for Sunday, when a front moves north across the country, as reported by 1News.
Central Otago, the Southern Lakes and Mackenzie Country could see a brief period of potentially heavy snow, while heavy rain is expected to spread up the South Island before reaching the North Island during the afternoon.
“It’s going to be brief, but heavy,” Ferris warned, as quoted by 1News.
“It’s not like we’re going to see sort of long-lasting impacts from rain. It might just be the case of having to duck and cover for a little bit as that passes over,” 1News has quoted.
Strong winds are also expected to develop on Sunday, with northwesterly winds strengthening around Cook Strait. Parts of southern Hawke’s Bay could also experience some of the stronger gusts.
According to 1News, Ferris urged motorists travelling through mountain passes and exposed roads to take extra care, with heavy rain and strong winds potentially affecting travel conditions.
"That Sunday weather could have an impact on travel,” he said.
“You wouldn’t want to be out riding a motorcycle or driving a campervan, just with the potential for the big gusts on Sunday," 1News has quoted.
Snow could also create difficult conditions on roads through inland areas of the southern South Island.
People travelling over the weekend have been advised to keep an eye on the latest MetService forecasts and weather warnings.
The unsettled weather is expected to ease relatively quickly, with high pressure building over the Tasman Sea helping to bring more settled conditions from Monday, as reported by 1News.
Monday to Wednesday are currently forecast to be largely fine, although showers could continue in parts of the south and west of the South Island.
Another frosty morning is also possible across parts of both islands on Monday, 1News has reported.
Ferris said the colder conditions were a reminder that winter-like weather can still return despite the arrival of longer spring days.
"We're just kind of getting into that time of year where maybe you don't expect them so much," he said.
"Now that we're seeing these longer days, we do still have those touches of winter," as quoted by 1News.