Winter storm looming

[Mark]

On Wednesday, bitterly cold Antarctic air will begin to sweep up the country. This has the potential to bring significant snow to the south and east of the South Island, as well as central and southern parts of the North Island. Largest snowfalls at this stage seem likely about inland Canterbury and Marlborough, while snow may fall to near sea level from Southland to Kaikoura by Thursday.

 This is a very dynamic weather situation, and details about where the snow will fall and how much may well change. It will be important to keep up to date with the latest watches and warnings.

 Although our main website is currently unavailable due to data communication issues, the www.metservice.com URL is diverting to our backup site where all the latest forecasts and watches/warnings continue to be available. You can also follow our updates on @metservice on Twitter and at www.facebook.com/MetService.
http://www2.metservice.com/news.html

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[Mark]

Issued: 11:45am Tuesday 18 Jun 2013


SPECIAL WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHLAND, AUCKLAND, WAIKATO, COROMANDEL PENINSULA,WAITOMO, BAY OF PLENTY ROTORUA, TAUMARUNUI, TAUPO, TAIHAPE, GISBORNE, HAWKES BAY,WAIRARAPA, TARANAKI, WANGANUI, MANAWATU, WELLINGTON, MARLBOROUGH, NELSON, BULLER,WESTLAND, FIORDLAND, CANTERBURY, OTAGO, SOUTHLAND

ISSUED BY METSERVICE AT 11:45am Tuesday 18-Jun-2013

SIGNIFICANT COLD OUTBREAK FOR MUCH OF THE COUNTRY LATER THIS WEEK Forecast : Strong cold southerlies are expected to spread north over the South Island during Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, then over the North Island late Thursday and early Friday. Temperatures are expected to become very cold over southern and eastern parts of the South Island from Wednesday evening to Thursday morning, with snow to near sea level and significant snowfalls about central and northern Canterbury, including Banks Peninsula, and southern Marlborough. Strong south to southwest winds spread over the North Island during Thursday and Friday, with gales, possibly severe for a time about Wellington, coastal Marlborough, northern Westland and Wairarapa. Strong cold blustery westerlies are expected from Waikato to Northland, with gusty conditions also about the Bay of Plenty. Cold rain is expected about southern and eastern parts of the North Island, with snow expected about the central plateau and possibly to lower levels southwards to Wellington. People should be aware that snowfalls are likely to cause widespread disruption to traffic especially about alpine passes and higher level roads, and more generally in Marlborough, Canterbury, Southland and around Dunedin. Exposed parts of the South Island east coast are likely to experience blizzard conditions for a time during Thursday and Friday, which will put stress on livestock and make outdoor pursuits hazardous. A severe weather watch is currently in force for heavy snow about southern and eastern parts of the South Island and severe gales about central areas. People are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecast and warnings.


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http://www.metservice.com/national/warnings/special-weather-advisory