Forecast for this Weekend 13th & 14th of June 2015

[NZLW]

ISSUED BY METSERVICE AT 9.00pm 12-Jun-2015

A strong and cold west to southwest flow covers the country tonight and during the weekend. Temperatures are expected to drop tonight allowing snow to fall to low levels in the far south tonight and overnight Friday to Saturday. Although snow accumulations below 500 metres are not expected to be sufficient to warrant a full warning, severe wind chills are likely due to the strong winds and cold temperatures. The snow may cause disruptions on some roads in northern Southland, around the Catlins and about the higher Dunedin suburbs.

A severe gale warning is in force for central Hawkes Bay and the Tararua District and this Watch is for the possibility of severe west or southwest gales in the following areas...

SOUTHLAND, CLUTHA and DUNEDIN (including the OTAGO PENINSULA) Southwest winds close to warning strength are possible until late Sunday morning, especially about the Catlins and Otago coasts from Slope Point to the Otago Peninsula.

WESTERN NELSON Southwest winds could gust to near warning strength at times tonight and through Saturday.

THE NORTH ISLAND CENTRAL HIGH COUNTRY Westerly winds could gust to near warning strength at times until early Saturday morning.

CENTRAL HAWKES BAY and the TARARUA DISTRICT Westerly winds could gust to near warning strength at times from midday Saturday through into Sunday morning.

There is also the possibility of significant snowfalls in the following area...

FIORDLAND, SOUTHLAND, SOUTHERN (CENTRAL) OTAGO, CLUTHA AND DUNEDIN The snow level is expected to lower tonight (Friday) to around 100 metres. Between tonight and about dawn Saturday, 2 to 5cm of snow may accumulate at 200 metres with snow flurries lower down. Above 500 metres, especially about the Catlins and the hills along the boundary of Southland and Otago, snow depths could reach 10 to 15cm.

The rest of New Zealand should be clear with light over night frosts.

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