A wintry blast from the South

MetService forecasters are predicting 5-10 cm of snow to fall near the Milford Road Tunnel as a wintry southerly blast makes its way northward on Friday morning.

"Some snow has already arrived on the southern hills", commented MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt. "Winds are expected to swing more southerly on Friday with conditions becoming even more wintry."

Snow is forecast to settle down to 400 metres in southern Fiordland,Southland and South Otago and become heavier for a time on Friday morning. Snow is also expected to spread to the hills around Dunedin and North Otago,and possibly fall close to sea level for a short time.

The wintry showers are forecast to spread north over Canterbury during Friday afternoon and evening, mainly affecting Banks Peninsula, the eastern hills north of Motunau and the Kaikoura ranges.

Mr. McDavitt added that with these wintry showers, driving conditions are likely to be hazardous at times. "The wintry showers should ease away very early in the weekend".