Single-digit highs and temperatures dropping as low as -7 degrees Celsius will bite, while widespread snow could fall to low levels over much of Southland and inland Otago this weekend.<\/p>\n
MetService meteorologist John Law said snow was expected to start falling late Friday night around the southern regions, and would continue in Southland and Central Otago until late Saturday morning.<\/p>\n
“I think there will be a chance of perhaps some pretty low levels of snow, particularly in those central parts of Otago, overnight Friday, in towards Saturday.”<\/p>\n
He said northwesterlies would bring warmer temperatures to Dunedin on Thursday, which is forecast to reach 15degC.<\/p>\n
But it would also bring rain, which was expected to spread across the southern regions tomorrow.<\/p>\n
Later in the day, those winds would turn southwesterly, bringing very cold air up from the Southern Ocean, which would likely turn the rain to snow.<\/p>\n
“You need a few things for snow.<\/p>\n
“You need the moisture, but you also need those cold temperatures, and I think Friday night is our best chance for both of those as they run through.”<\/p>\n
Law said the snow would miss Dunedin and Oamaru, but Balclutha and the rest of South Otago could see a lot of snow.<\/p>\n
“I think snow to low levels will be a bigger risk for those more inland areas.<\/p>\n
“And because the temperatures are so cold, I think the snow will probably settle.<\/p>\n
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of those higher roads have some issues with some snowfall through there.”<\/p>\n
He said Saturday night into Sunday morning was expected to be “extremely cold”, temperatures well below zero bringing frost and black ice to roads across Otago and Southland.<\/p>\n
“I think the real issue will be, any moisture that comes through and then hits a cold road, will freeze.<\/p>\n
“It will definitely be worth taking extra care, particularly for that first part of the morning on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n
“Sunday morning – it will be really cold, really frosty.<\/p>\n
“If you plan to head out and about in the early hours of the morning, just be aware that there will be these pockets of frost, especially in shady areas.<\/p>\n
“So, it will be important to take extra time and extra care on the roads over the next few days.”<\/p>\n
Despite the frigid forecast, organisers of the New Zealand and Australian defence forces say Exercise Tauwharen\u012bkau would still go ahead.<\/p>\n
“It’s important to train in all-weather situations.”<\/p>\n
A ridge of high pressure was expected to build later on Sunday, and Law said the weather would warm up to “double digits” again for the start of next week.<\/p>\n