MetService said a wet and windy end to the week for some parts of the country should clear to more “settled” weather just in time for the start of the school holidays.
In addition to rain and snow for much of the South Island today, strong northwesterly winds would make their presence felt on Thursday and early Friday morning.
MetService issued an orange strong wind warning for the Canterbury High Country until 7pm today, with gusts up to 120km/h.
Wellington, Wairarapa, and Marlborough were placed under a strong wind watch, with blustery conditions expected from late this afternoon until early Friday morning.
Winds could remain breezy for coastal areas of the South Island once winds turn southwesterly on Thursday evening, as a large weather system gradually moves northwards across the country.
The heaviest rain is expected in the ranges of Westland, Buller, and the headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers — areas currently under orange heavy rain warnings or watches.
This wet weather would extend to the North Island overnight into Friday.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said most of the South Island would see some rain by the end of Thursday, and the same for the North Island on Friday.
“Many areas should expect a period of continuous rain as the system passes, followed by drier spells mixed with a few passing showers. However, Southland and Clutha could see periods of heavier showers on Friday morning,” she said.
Snowfall is also expected for inland South Island Thursday night into Friday, with snow levels forecast to reach down to 200m in Southland and Clutha and 300m in Otago.
This snow may impact on road travel on high-level roads and passes into Friday morning and road snowfall warning have been issued.
However, brighter skies are on the horizon for the weekend. Apart from a few showers in western parts of both islands and coastal Southland, much of the country can expect a mix of partly cloudy and sunny weather.
“After weeks of rapid ups and downs in the weather, it seems the weekend looks to bring a stretch of more settled weather, which could last into mid-next week before the next weather system,” said Makgabutlane.
“This should provide plenty of opportunities for families to get out and enjoy the start of the school holidays.”