The settled autumn weather in the South looks set for a sudden end, with a cold southerly change set to bring the "first significant snowfall of the year". MetService is forecasting an abrupt midweek plunge in temperatures, and has issued road snow warnings for some southern passes. "The difference will be most notable in the South Island, with a few locations set to see around a ten degree drop in temperature," MetService meteorologist Alwyn Bakker said. Road snowfall warnings have been issued for the Lindis Pass (State Highway 8), the Crown Range Road and the Milford Road (SH94). Heavy rain watches and warnings have also been issued for parts of the West Coast of the South Island, and strong wind watches for parts of the Canterbury high country.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 10, 2021 07:52 UTC