The brief warm period through winter has given way, according to MetService, as snow is on its way to Central Otago. 

Cromwell-raised MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris says the week will end fairly settled, but snow is likely before the weekend ends. 

“The working week ends on a settled note but a few showers on Saturday mark the beginning of something more to come.”

Saturday will feature a few showers in the morning with light winds.

“The air above the region gradually starts to cool which will allow snow to fall further through the atmosphere before melting,” Lewis says. 

“We’re currently forecasting snow to fall to 600m by the end of Saturday but on Sunday all of the region is at risk of seeing snow on the ground.”

On Sunday a few snow showers are forecast, especially from the evening, while southwesterlies develop.

“Snow or sleet coupled with southwesterly winds and a high temperature of ~7C will make Sunday rather chilly,” Lewis says. “Worse conditions should be expected about higher ground.

“The risk of snow extends into Monday morning but things start to warm as the southwesterly winds die off.”

Monday, snow showers will clear in the morning, then tend fine for the rest of the day with winds turning from southwesterlies to northwest.

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