Photo: Screenshot / Metservice
Several weather watches have been issued as another low sweeps across the Tasman, bringing strong northwesterlies from Tuesday.
Heavy rain is forecast for the west coasts of both islands from Westland to Taranaki, and strong winds for Wairarapa, Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds.
MetService meteorologist John Law said while things would be windy and wet in the first half of the week, a temperature shift was expected towards Thursday.
"For many of us, I think the windest and wettest time will be when we head into the night, Tuesday in towards Wednesday morning, particularly for us here in Wellington, places like the Wairarapa and towards the Marlborough Sounds, that's where we're going to see those northwesterlies really picking up."
As these were watches rather than warning level alerts, the winds were not expected to be at the same levels as what some areas had seen recently, Law said.
"But they could still find winds gusting perhaps 90 to 100km/h in most exposed areas and it's still worth taking a bit of extra care, especially if you're going to be out on the roads, if you're going to be up in those exposed areas, if you're out in your high-sided vehicles and your motorcycles."
The northwesterlies were pushing the rainfall through in places like Buller, Tasman west of Motueka.
"In amongst this rain, we're going to have some of those heavy thunderstorms as well ... some pretty intense bursts."
Later in the week, a southerly brings cooler temperatures.
"As we head through towards Thursday, I think we're going to see a real change in how we feel our temperatures, really seeing that cold air stretching up and across.
"We've even got the chance of snowfall back across those southern parts of the country, down to places like Southland and Otago.
"I think we're all going to find our temperatures change.
"It's a real flip flop changing situation this week."
A strong, bitterly cold southwest flow is expected to affect the South Island on Friday.
— MetService (@MetService) October 22, 2023
❄ Snow showers could lower to near sea level in Fiordland and Southland. While warning amounts of snow are unlikely, it could be enough to affect roads and bring stress to livestock. pic.twitter.com/VgLVQAeZUV
Drive with caution
Waka Kotahi says drivers need to take care on the roads with the bad weather forecast.
Motorcyclists and drivers of tall vehicles will need to be careful on exposed routes like Remutaka Hill and the Wainui Saddle on Transmission Gully, Waka Kotahi said.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms could affect SH6 and SH60 in Buller and Tasman from Tuesday afternoon.
Waka Kotahi warned drivers to stay alert for hazards like slips, fallen trees and localised flooding.
Meanwhile, category 4 severe Tropical Cyclone Lola is pummeling Vanuatu's north-eastern islands, with average winds of 165km/h near the centre.
