The topsy-turvy spring weather continues this week with forecasters warning of another icy blast set to chill Aotearoa.
It was just a week ago that Kiwis were basking in the warm weather and getting ready for summer. But here comes another icy blast.
MetService says the chill will work its way up the country this week, moving onto Southland on Wednesday morning and then the North Island on Thursday.
"For many places, Friday morning will be the coldest time of the week."
A weather map posted on social media by MetService shows central South Island and North Island spots dropping to sub-zero temperatures on Friday morning.
The forecaster gives several examples of the drops in temperature incoming.
Christchurch will see a high of 10C on Wednesday, down 7C on its average. Wellington will be at 10C on Thursday rather than 16C. Masterton will sit a little higher at 11C, rather than its average of 18C. Ashburton on Friday morning will drop to a cold -3C opposed to 5C, and Hamilton will be at 2C on Friday morning rather than 8C.
Weatherwatch's Philip Duncan said after a "cold, windy Wednesday", Thursday will see frosts for the South Island. In the north, it won't be frosty, but it will be cold.
Duncan says the coming days will also be packed with snow and rain for some areas.
"This cold change on Wednesday is going to bring snow flurries to 400m in the south, maybe even a little bit lower than that briefly, 500m further up around Canterbury, and around Central Plateau, down to 800m which could affect the Desert Rd, State Highway 1, overnight Wednesday going into Thursday," said Duncan.
Those on the West Coast and up around Hawke's Bay can expect plenty of rain.
At this stage, Metservice has several heavy rain watches out for Tuesday. Those affected include Northland, southern Waikato, Taupo, the Tongariro National Park and the Eastern Ranges of the Bay of Plenty.
