Warm temperatures mid-week will make way for a chilly blast expected to bring unseasonable cold and snow to low levels on Friday for the South Island.

There is a strong wind watch in place for most of Otago, from 8pm tonight (Wednesday). 

Northwest winds may approach severe gale level in exposed places, and are expected to persist until late tomorrow morning in North Otago and Dunedin, MetService meterologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said.

“Temperatures rise to the mid to upper-20s on Wednesday and Thursday for the eastern stretch of the country. Christchurch, Kaikōura, Napier and Hastings could see some of their warmest temperatures this spring on Thursday.”

The truly changeable nature of spring is on full display from Thursday to Friday though, as the next approaching weather system comes through with a contrasting cold blast, Mmathapelo said.

“It will feel like someone has turned the dial back to winter mode. 

“Dunedin, for example, goes from a warm 21°C maximum on Thursday to just an 8°C high on Friday – a very noticeable change!” she said.

The bitterly cold southwesterly flow also brings showers of snow to much of the South Island on Friday, even falling near sea level in Southland and coastal Otago, including Clutha. 

“This may have an impact on livestock, and farmers are encouraged to take advantage of the next few days to prepare accordingly. 

“Travel may also be impacted on Friday as widespread snow showers are expected across the South Island,” Mmathapelo said.

In addition to the icy blast, the weather system brings a dousing of heavy rain to the western South Island and strong winds for much of the South Island and lower North Island on Thursday and Friday.

Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Lola has the western Pacific on high alert, with MetService meteorologists keeping a keen eye on what it might mean for Aotearoa New Zealand at the end of the weekend into next week.

On Tuesday morning Lola was a category 5, making it the most intense tropical cyclone to form ahead of the official start of the season (November 1 to April 30) in recorded history, but it has since been downgraded to category 3.

Signals at the moment are that the system will weaken as it heads south but is likely to interact with another system forming in the Tasman Sea.

“There is still plenty of time to clarify where and what impacts the remains of Lola will have on Aotearoa New Zealand. Early indications are that into early next week the northern parts of the country are most likely to see wetter weather and strong winds, while high pressure builds across the southern parts of Aotearoa New Zealand,” Mmathapelo said. 

“The MetService forecasting team will continue to monitor the situation in the Tropics. The best advice is to stay up to date with the latest MetService forecasts and any watches and warnings issued.”