Much of New Zealand is set to enjoy a brighter but still frosty weekend after a blast of snow, rain and bitter southerlies.
A surge of Antarctic air yesterday prompted road snowfall warnings on several alpine routes overnight.
A warning is still in place for the Desert Rd (SH1) until 8am today, with snow showers expected to develop on higher parts of the route.
MetService meteorologist Vivien Whyte told the Herald snow showers across the South Island are forecast to ease today, with conditions improving as the burst of wet and wild weather moved away.
“Things are looking fine by this afternoon and it’s kind of looking like a nice bright weekend for the South Island, maybe with the exception of a few showers lingering on the West Coast.
“It’s kind of a case of snow at first and then easing throughout the day and then we’re kind of looking at more of a fine afternoon and then a very fine Sunday for the South Island.”
The band of rain affecting the South Island will move north before clearing today.
“That showery weather that’s kind of affecting the South Island is going to make its way up to the North Island today.”
While Saturday is expected to be wetter for parts of the North Island as the system tracks north, the unsettled conditions are expected to clear, with skies clearing from the south later in the day before a settled Sunday.
“By the time Sunday comes around, the whole country is looking pretty good,” she said.
While skies will brighten, Whyte said temperatures would remain typical for this time of year.
“We’re left with some pretty stock standard winter temperatures. It’s still chilly, so I can’t really say it’s warming because it doesn’t feel warm.”
Overnight lows are forecast to sit around 0C or just below in parts of the South Island, while day-time highs would reach the mid-teens.
The clearer skies are set to bring widespread frosts, particularly in inland areas.
“We’re looking at most of the country being pretty frosty over the weekend, but at least frosty and bright by Sunday.”