Weather: Snow for the South Island, Auckland warned of 'sharp drop' in temperatures as cold snap returns

Snow is on its way for parts of the South Island as a cold snap heads up the country.
Snow is on its way for parts of the South Island as a cold snap heads up the country. Photo credit: Getty Images (file)

MetService is warning Kiwis in the South Island to prepare for snow as a cold snap returns to the country. 

Meanwhile, those in Auckland may want to layer on their winter blankets once again with a "sharp drop in temperatures" expected for the city. 

In a statement on Thursday, MetService said as showers and strong winds begin to ease off the upper North Island, a cold southerly change is making its way up the South Island. 

They warned those on the east coast could expect possible thunderstorms in the afternoon, reaching the North Island later in the evening. 

And those in Auckland are in for some chilly temperatures overnight. 

"There is a wide spread of temperatures across the country tonight, people south of Auckland are most likely to notice a sharp drop in temperatures," MetService meteorologist Ngaire Wotherspoon said. 

MetService said the current "fine break" is short-lived in the South Island. 

On Friday, sunny skies and lighter winds can be expected for most of the country, however, those in Canterbury and Otago are in for a "frosty start." 

Christchurch will reach temperatures as low as 0C, while those in Timaru can expect a low of 1C.   

"The front crawls northeast up the South Island on Saturday, generating rain for much of the island and snow inland to 400 or 500 metres," Wotherspoon said. 

"At the moment it looks like the heaviest snow could be anywhere from inland Southland to the Mackenzie country." 

Wotherspoon added the colder temperatures are bringing some dry conditions to the country. 

"A much drier weekend is in store for the North Island and the top of the South Island as the ridge of high pressure stays put," she explained. 

However, she said although the overnight temperatures will be low, they won't be "to the same extent as last week." 

"Next week is a different story, whilst the front over the South Island weakens, another round of warm, wet weather descends from the northwest on Monday night."