The weather for New Zealand this weekend will change considerably the further south you head.   The cold snap that was predicted to affect the country earlier this week has now been limited to the South Island and Wellington after an unexpected low developed off Northland’s coast.  “This low is acting as a big barrier, driving in milder easterlies to most of the North Island.  Of course I say milder compared to the South Island which is likely to see cold weather for the next week”.

The Radio Network’s Weather Watch Centre is predicting just single digit temperatures for most of the South Island for the next 7 days.  “Even if the official high is 12 or 3 it will only feel like 8 or 9 – maybe even 4 or 5 in Southland.  It’s going to be a cold week for Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill”.

Meanwhile the low near Northland is expected to organise itself a little better over the next 24 hours.  “Rain is likely to really only affect the Far North with isolated thunderstorms possible.  A few showers could pepper other areas such as the Hibiscus Coast, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty”.

Showers are also likely for Gisborne and Napier.

Duncan says western areas will be warmest and driest.