Issued Thursday, July 08, 1999 at 5.00am next issue at 10.30am

Short Forecast from Weather Workshop valid to midnight tonight:

In the north and west of the North Island from Northland to Manawatu, also for the central plateau: Cloudy with a few light Showers becoming more frequent and widespread from afternoon and evening. Snow likely about the central mountains at night which includes the Desert Road.

Bay of Plenty: Mostly fine. Brief rain possible after dark.

Gisborne to Wairarapa: Dry at first. Showers and southerlies spreading north later reaching Gisborne after dark.

Wellington: Cloudy with a few light showers in the north at first. Showers widespread later with cold southerlies developing.

Nelson: Brief showers this morning then a clearance from afternoon.

The South Island west coast: Rain slowly clearing from the south this afternoon.

Marlborough and Canterbury: Showers spreading north this morning with snow to the ranges. Skies clearing slowly from the south during the day.

Otago and Southland: Rain at first this morning with snow to low levels briefly. By afternoon, clearing inland but wintry showers persisting about the coast.

Chatham Island: Showers becoming more frequent with cold southwesterlies.

END

(c) Copyright Weather Workshop Limited 1999