Cold southwest winds lurk on the horizon

Make the most of today because temperatures in the southern regions are about to get noticeably colder.

MetService forecasts temperatures will reach 18C today across much of Otago, but a front moving towards the South Island is expected to bring fresh southerly winds and rain.

Meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said the weather system would be followed by a shift to a southwesterly flow, keeping temperatures colder for the rest of this week.

“Things seem to remain nice and dry until Tuesday for most.

“However, for the west and lower South Island, the next weather system will bring cloudy weather on Tuesday, with rain not far behind.

“For Fiordland and the southern Westland ranges, some of that rain could be briefly heavy, and severe weather warnings have been issued for Tuesday and Wednesday.”

He said the weather system would extend to the eastern tip of the South Island tomorrow and quickly reach the North Island in the afternoon and into Thursday.

“This system is moving quickly and by the end of Thursday most of the country should be clear, apart from the occasional shower in the southern and western coastal areas.”

While the weather system was prepared to take the rain with it when it left, colder temperatures would remain.

“The change to a cold southwesterly flow will be most notable this week, once the rain clouds have cleared.

“Parts of the interior of the South Island are likely to wake up to frost on Thursday morning, while daytime temperatures will feel cooler during the second half of the week,” he said.

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