Temperatures are set to dip for much of the country this week as a trough of low pressure extends across New Zealand. Unsettled southwesterlies will bring showery weather, falling as snow to low levels for the lower South Island.
Monday will start off wet in the west and south of the country and a Severe Weather Watch is in place for the possibility of heavy snow above 200 metres in Fiordland and parts of Southland.
The south coast of the South Island could even see snow flurries to near sea level on Monday on Tuesday.
Meanwhile eastern parts of the country will be mostly sheltered in the westerly flow on Monday and remain mainly fine.
A front may stall over the North Island later on Monday and could spread rain across much of the island from Monday night into Tuesday.
As the winds turn southerly late Monday into Tuesday first for the South Island and then mid-week for the North Island, rain and showers will spread up the east coast of the South Island as well.
The North Island will also not be able to escape the cold weather;overnight temperatures in Auckland Wednesday and Thursday night are forecast around 5C. The central North Island is also expected to see snow affecting the higher roads from mid-week.
"This snow event will not be as widespread or heavy as the last one we had a few weeks ago as the airmass is a little drier," said meteorologist Rebekah LaBar.
"However, the mountain passes and high elevation roads could still see some significant snowfall, so be sure to keep up with the latest warnings and road information if you are traveling this week."
Towards the end of the week a ridge of high pressure will begin to move up over the South Island, while the North Island remains in showery southerly flow.
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