Tuesday's Forecast - Wrap up well.

[JennyLeez]

Tuesday 28th May 2013
A strong bitterly cold southwesterly flow is delivering frequent snow showers to the far south of the country, with snow showers falling to about sea level. Heavy snow is forecast above about 300 metres in Southland, Clutha, the south and east of Fiordland, and about southern parts of central Otago, where up to 30cm of snow is possible through to midday Tuesday. Lesser amounts are forecast to lower levels. Snow drifts and poor visibility with snow are likely to cause major disruption to transport across the region. In addition, the cold southwesterlies are expected to rise to severe gale about Northland for a time Tuesday afternoon, with gusts to 120km/h in exposed places. Winds of this strength have the potential to damage insecure structures, powerlines, trees, and make driving conditions hazardous.

Snow is expected to lower to about sea level this evening. In the 16 hours from 8pm Monday to noon Tuesday 20 to 30cm of snow may accumulate above about 300m on top of what has already fallen, with 5 to 10cm above about 100m, and lesser amounts to sea level. The showers are expected to ease Tuesday afternoon. This amount of snow has to potential to cause major disruption to transport and motorists are urged to exercise caution.
Metservice.

Rain Forecast

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[JennyLeez]

Update

A strong bitterly cold southwesterly flow is delivering frequent snow showers to the far south of the country, with snow showers falling to about sea level. Heavy snow is forecast above about 300 metres in Southland, Clutha, the south and east of Fiordland, and about southern parts of central Otago, easing this afternoon.

Heavy snow is expected in Taihape, especially this evening and overnight. Significant amounts of snow are also expected for the remainder of the central North Island high country as well as the ranges of Wellington and Wairarapa. This amount of snow has to potential to cause major disruption to transport and motorists are urged to exercise caution. The MetService will continue to monitor the situation and issue watches and Warnings as necessary.

In addition, expect severe gale southwesterlies at times in Northland and Auckland, especially north of the Harbour Bridge, easing overnight Tuesday. Winds of this strength have the potential to damage insecure structures, powerlines, trees, and make driving conditions hazardous.
Metservice

[Te Puke Weather]

Tuesday night's national forecast - Weather Watch

Conditions easing slightly overnight but still very cold. Snow possible to sea level in the east of the South Island, down to 300m or even slightly lower about the lower North Island tonight.

Northland, Auckland
Showers, heavy at times with hail. Thunderstorms for Northland. Conditions easing later this evening and potentially clearing overnight or towards dawn tomorrow. Gusty cold southwesterlies.
Lows tonight: 4-6

CNI, BOP & Waikato
Wintry showers with snow flurries to 400m clearing about the Central North Island tonight, becoming quite cold. Mainly clear elsewhere with cold southwesterlies.
Lows tonight: -3-4

Eastern North Island
A few showers, mainly about Wairarapa and Gisborne with snow flurries to 300m and 600m respectively. Cold southwesterlies.
Lows tonight: 1-3

Western North Island
Cold with showers, hail at times and snow flurries to 400m. Southwest winds.
Low tonight: 2-4

Wellington
Showers, hail and snow flurries to 300m (possibly 200 to 100m at times, mainly settling above 300m however), strong cold southerlies.
Lows tonight: 3-6

Marlborough & Nelson
Mainly clear skies with light winds, frosty in sheltered areas.
Lows tonight: -2-0

Canterbury
Wintry showers near the coast namely Banks Peninsula and Christchurch, also along the coastal fringe of North Canterbury and the Kaikoura Ranges area. Snow flurries possible to sea level. Inland along the foothills and for much of South and Mid Canterbury expect clear spells and some cloud, cold southwesterlies. Frosty inland tonight.
Lows tonight: -3-2

West Coast
Clear skies with light winds, becoming frosty in sheltered areas.
Lows tonight: 0-2

Southland & Otago
Cloudy periods about Southland with breezy westerlies, the odd sleety shower about reverting to normal showers during the night. Clear spells developing elsewhere after snow flurries move away. Becoming very cold tonight inland.
Low tonight: -7-3

WeatherWatch.co.nz