Here’s what is making the weather headlines this weekend.

SNOW IN THE SOUTH TO 400M

Some cold air develops about Southland and Fiordland this afternoon with some snow lowering to about 400m, cold air does reach into Otago but showers eventually thin out and clear there this evening so the level will be a bit higher, perhaps down to 600 or 500m at a push for a brief moment.

Any snow in general will be fairly fleeting in nature, while snow may fall to the above mentioned levels it may not settle, up higher is where there will be any accumulations of note. The Southern Alps sees heavier snow but this will be fairly high up.

A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS FOR CANTERBURY?

A southerly change is on the way for Canterbury this afternoon, especially around mid to late afternoon. This change combined with some cold upper air could lead to some instability and perhaps thunderstorms with hail, if these form they will ease this evening with remaining rain or showers clearing away overnight.

The first map below shows the southerly change pushing into the Canterbury coastline, this is represented by the wind barbs. The second map shows the lifted index, below zero supports a convective environment, the more negative the better. The third map shows the CAPE.

Keep an eye on our thunderstorm page here for updates.

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WEATHER ON SUNDAY

Expect west to southwesterly winds for the North Island today, blustery in areas especially the lower half. Showers in the west thin out and clear progressively this morning and into the afternoon with sunny spells then increasing. The east coast has a mainly sunny day after any morning cloud clears. Southerlies later this evening for Wellington and Wairarapa with thickening cloud then showers overnight.

Showers or perhaps some rain for the West Coast, Southland and southern parts of Otago. Mostly sunny in the east but later this afternoon or evening southerly winds strengthen with thickening cloud, showers eventually develop for Mid and North Canterbury then perhaps overnight into Marlborough. Nelson and Marlborough are mostly sunny but Nelson could get some cloud for a time spread over from the west.

Expect a strong southwesterly airflow over the South Island today, changing to the south up the east coast later this afternoon and into this evening. Expect gales for coastal Southland, Otago and later on coastal Canterbury.

Snow flurries west of the Main Divide to about 700m, 400 to 300m for Southland.