Here’s what is making the weather headlines today….

GALE SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS

A very strong southwest airflow lies over the country today with gale to severe gale winds up the western and eastern coastlines, in the east north of Otago winds are actually light to start but as can be seen in the maps below strong southwesterlies spread northwards during the day.

Metservice have various wind watches out, you can see them here.

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DECENT RAIN IN THE SOUTH

Rain about the far south looks to be heavy at times today then easing this evening.

Metservice have a rain watch out, you can see that here.

STILL SOME SNOW IN THE SOUTH

With persistent rain about the far south today there will continue to be snow also, falling to a higher level than the last day or two, around 600m.

Southern ski fields should benefit although heavier precipitation admittedly may be a touch further south.

There is still a southwesterly airflow over New Zealand on Tuesday and Wednesday, showers continue in the west and far south but in the east the weather is quite good. Thursday a ridge of high pressure moves in moves in with winds light for most but there looks to be quite a bit of cloud about, at this stage just Canterbury is mainly sunny.