Spring's 'up and down' temps bring frosts, showers and cooler days

MetService says this weekend is set to bring "a classic case of springtime temperatures", with a colder, wetter change due to sweep over much of the country.

Yesterday some roads across the inland South were closed following a spring snow dump, with the forecaster warning the cold front would move north throughout the day.

MetService meteorologist John Law said there had been a run of "amazing temperatures" this week, including above 21C for Christchurch.

"But, sadly, it wasn't that way yesterday. A much cooler day and a cold, frosty morning," he said.

He said last night was "perhaps the coldest one for a few nights to come".

"On the plus side, although it's a pretty chilly, frosty morning, it should be a decent, sunny day for most spots on the South Island."

He said the North Island was looking "a bit more grey and wet" today.

"We've got low pressure sliding west to east across the country, and that's going to bring more cloud and rain wrapping around that system.

"As we head through the rest of the morning, we'll find it's a pretty grey story across Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, with the risk of perhaps one or two heavier showers this afternoon, even a rumble of thunder and across towards the Bay of Plenty as well.

"Something to watch out for, but hopefully better as we head in towards the weekend."

Looking ahead, Law said southwesterlies would bring more showers up the western coast of the South Island tomorrow.

"As we head into towards the afternoon, perhaps a few of those showers in towards places like New Plymouth and up across and towards the central plateau, even here in Wellington."

"Then for Sunday, I think still more of those real brisk southwesterly winds, and not feeling great in terms of our temperature."

He said these were "a classic case of springtime temperatures".

"It's a real reminder that those temperatures can really fluctuate this season, up and down as we head through the next few days.

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"So we'll find our winds turning around more of that southwester, and that's going to really introduce more cold air back up and across us as we head in towards next weekend."