6 Sep 2016

Winter's back: Cold snap to sweep country

12:39 pm on 6 September 2016

New Zealand's winter still has a little bite to it, with a cold snap expected to sweep across the country tomorrow.

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Photo: Metservice

MetService is warning of a strong, cold southwest change tomorrow, which could create blizzard conditions in some areas.

The cold snap is expected to start spreading northwards over the South Island in the morning, before hitting the North Island later in the day.

Strong northwesterlies are likely in North Canterbury, Marlborough and the southern North Island, before a change to gale southwesterlies in many coastal areas of the South Island and southern North Island.

MetService said snow is expected to fall to low levels in the lower South Island and the strong winds could create blizzard conditions.

Snow is expected to fall above 200 metres in the south and east of the South Island during Wednesday, and possibly as low as 100 metres in Mid and North Canterbury during Thursday morning.

MetService said these conditions were likely to make driving difficult and affect stock that had no shelter.

Power warning

Dunedin's electricity lines company has warned the strong wind gusts tomorrow might knock out the power.

Aurora Energy said the winds could bring down trees and powerlines, and create safety hazards.

The company has asked people to report all downed lines or trees in lines to Delta, and power faults to their retailers.

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