The Polar blast which has brought a cold end to one of the warmest June’s in New Zealand history is a welcome weather pattern which is not rare, according to one expert.

University of Otago Associate Professor in the School of Geography and member of the Mountain Research Centre Nicolas Cullen says the Polar blast which brought snow and has caused temperatures to drop is “not exceptional” for this time of year. 

He says the strong south-westerly airflow we have experienced is associated with a high-pressure system that is situated in the Tasman Sea, and a low-pressure system to the south of New Zealand. 

“This resulted in a series of cold frontal systems moving over New Zealand, with the lower eastern part of the South Island most affected,” he says. 

“As the large anticyclone in the Tasman Sea moves eastward over the South Island the high winds, low air temperatures and modest precipitation will be replaced with more settled weather. 

Nicolas says there is an expectation that we will have clear skies and low overnight air temperatures in many regions of the South Island in the coming days.

“The weather pattern responsible for this cold outbreak is not unusual for this time of the year, and should not be regarded as exceptional,” he says. 

“The snow that did fall in the southern part of the South Island will be welcomed by the ski fields, who were in need of the fresh snow. 

“The weather system was less favourable for the ski fields in the Canterbury region, who did not receive any significant snowfall. 

“Importantly, the low air temperatures will be crucial for all of the ski fields that have snow making.”