A big low in the Southern Ocean is set to bring turbulent weather to New Zealand over the Easter weekend - and a forecaster warns it poses "additional risks for the elderly, sick and physically disabled having to line up outside".
The storm will track past New Zealand this Easter weekend and for some regions it will be much windy, cooler and wetter than previous weeks.
"It may not be severe for everyone but windy, colder and wetter weather is forecast for a number of days starting from this coming Wednesday, lasting over Easter Weekend and not easing until perhaps Tuesday next week" says WeatherWatch head forecaster Philip Duncan. "Severe weather looks patchy but possible in both islands for a time".
WeatherWatch warns it's one to watch for essential workers and for those who have to line up outside for basic food.
"The main message we want to get out is that for essential workers we have some adverse weather coming in," it says on its page.
"This more unsettled weather pattern poses additional risks for the elderly, sick and physically disabled having to line up outside.
"Some supermarkets may want to rethink the way their customers currently line up, especially those more vulnerable, if cold wet and windy weather is forecast to linger for a number of days."
What you need to know:
- Winds pick up in the South Island over Saturday and Sunday with gales developing into the North Island across Sunday
- Sunday will be windy nationwide and Monday too
- Air pressure in the southern-most parts of the South Island may drop into the 960hPa range (or 970s)
- Easter Monday looks windiest for the North Island
- Coldest weather will be in the lower South Island with a brief taste on Thursday then the main cold air surges up this weekend and peaks over Sunday and Monday with wintry conditions for a time in some places
- Wettest weather will be on the West Coast