Those of us in low-lying areas of Central Otago may see the sun again this weekend, with a westerly front due to move the inversion layer away.

Metservice meteorologist Ngaire Wotherspoon said the persistent low cloud and fog around Alexandra and other Central Otago valleys isn’t unusual during winter months.

“The inversion layer can stick around for weeks under calm high pressure conditions, keeping conditions cold and damp.

Read more: ‘Miserable’ fog likely to persist

“The current low cloud has been near persistent for the last couple of weeks; the temperature at the airport hasn’t cracked five degrees Celsius since the 13th.”

Today at 11am, the temperature at the Alexandra Airport was only one degree, with the town not much warmer at 1.3 degrees Celsius.

Low-lying areas still have a few days left of not seeing the sun, Ngaire said.

“There isn’t much change expected until later in the weekend, when westerlies pushing rain onto Westland should help flush it out.”