END IN SIGHT FOR POLAR BLAST

Snow showers in Canterbury and Marlborough are expected to spread north to reach the central North Island high country tonight, with snow levels there to around 400 metres.  Later today, strong southerlies are expected to bring severe wind chill conditions to coastal areas between Canterbury and Wellington/Wairarapa.

“The icy southerly winds are expected to strengthen again late today but then gradually ease from later on Wednesday,” commented MetService Weather Ambassador Bob McDavitt.  “While more snow is likely, the end is in sight. It’s still a few days away, though.”

McDavitt added that an anticyclone is expected to advance onto the South Island during Friday, to cover much of the country by Sunday night.  “This is a cold cloudy high, so while showers in eastern areas will become steadily lighter from Wednesday onwards, they probably won’t completely clear until the southerly winds die out in a few days’ time.  And the air is so cold that frosts are likely even in cloudy conditions. For the next few days frosts will be severe in many places, and there is likely to be a lot of black ice on roads.”

Anyone planning travel, working outdoors or caring for stock should check regularly for the latest Severe Weather Outlooks, Watches and Warnings at metservice.com, or for mobiles at m.metservice.com.

For further information please contact:
Bob McDavitt       Weather Ambassador           (09)377 4831
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MetService issues Warnings, Watches and Outlooks for severe weather over New Zealand.
Warnings are about taking action:
* When severe weather is imminent or is occurring
* Issued only when required
* Recommendation: ACT
Watches are about being alert:
* When severe weather is possible, but not sufficiently imminent or certain for a Warning to be issued
* Issued only when required
* Recommendation: BE READY
Outlooks are about looking ahead:
* To provide advance information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings
* Issued routinely once or twice a day
* Recommendation: PLAN
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(C) Copyright Meteorological Service of New Zealand Ltd 2011