A late winter storm is descending on the Deep South today but for 80% of New Zealand the weather shouldn’t be too dramatic due to the angle of attack.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the most severe weather today and overnight will be in Southland, parts of Otago and the lower West Coast.  The strong south west flow will shovel in snow down to a couple hundred metres while Southland will staunchly face bitterly cold gales, possibly severe gale at times.

Meanwhile the West Coast will be pummeled by heavy showers, some squally with localised damaging winds.  WeatherWatch.co.nz says there’s even the risk of isolated tornadoes along the West Coast of the South Island.

But with the big mountains surrounding these three regions the rest of New Zealand will be spared the worst of the wintry blast.

While temperatures nationwide will drop today and tomorrow the worst of the weather remains in the Deep South.  “Certainly the southern and western half of the South Island will be taking the bullet for the rest of New Zealand today and tomorrow” says head weather analyst Philip Duncan.

Warmer weather returns to most places by Sunday.

– Homepage image / Snow earlier this year in Queenstown, Alison Metherell

– WeatherWatch.co.nz