Brief Snowy Southerly

21-Aug-2006

Brief Snowy Southerly

Very cold southerlies are spreading over the South Island.

MetService meteorologists have issued a heavy snow warning for southern parts of the South Island this afternoon and Canterbury and Kaikoura Coast tonight. The southerlies will also be spreading onto the North Island tonight, bringing rain laced with hail and then some snow on the higher roads.

"Snow started falling to near sea level in Southland this morning and is moving into Otago," commented MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt. "When the wind flow over Canterbury swings southerly this afternoon the air will become cold enough to allow showers of snow to fall as far as sea level during the night. The snow will be heavy in some places from the foothills to the coast, especially about Banks Peninsula."

These conditions will bring hazardous driving conditions and be very stressful on any newly-born animals caught in the open. Anyone travelling or working outdoors tonight should check that they have the latest forecast.

This snowy southerly is going to be brief. By the end of Tuesday winds are forecast to ease and clouds clear as the cold southerlies move away.

ENDS

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