Low pressure exiting Australia will move into New Zealand this weekend bringing rain and showers into both main islands. Before this arrives a wintry southerly moves into the South Island tonight, bringing snow down to just 300 or 400m for a time, before clearing on Wednesday.

Frosts, some heavy, are expected through the South Island’s interior, especially Northern Southland.

Warmer winds come in ahead of the weekend low pressure – then next week, windy westerlies are expected to crank back up again.

*Programming Note: Our next ClimateWatch monthly forecast is out later on Wednesday afternoon covering NZ, Australia and the South Pacific over the next few weeks ahead.