KEY POINTS:
Another winter storm is moving on to the country and heavy snow is expected to blanket much of the South Island and central North Island over the next couple of days.
Firstly the South Island - the main cold front will move up the island today with temperatures
gradually falling. Invercargill, Queenstown and Dunedin should all see snow, sleet and hail.
Road closures are extremely likely so if you're heading out in your car make sure you're up to date with the latest travel advisories.
A low will deepen off the Canterbury coast on Saturday and at this stage it has the potential to deliver some pretty nasty weather along the east coast.
Heavy rain and strong winds and a temperature around 3 to 5 degrees will make for an indoors sort of day! That rain will turn to snow for a time too as the air gets colder. I think snow flakes are highly likely in Christchurch too.
By Saturday the cold air will be in the North Island with another heavy dumping for the ski fields, but that also includes the Desert Road.
I predict it will be closed along with a number of other central North Island roads. The air will be cold everywhere with Auckland's high only making it to around 11 or 12 degrees. Out in the wind it'll feel more like 8 degrees.
This, of course, is great for the ski fields. I can see plenty of snow falling this winter - I just hope it clears up enough to allow people to actually get onto the slopes!
Next week is looking pretty good though, with a big high moving in from Australia making for clear skies and calm winds over both islands for at least a few days next week.
So to recap - cold front moving up the South Island today, North Island Saturday. Snow lowering to sea level later today in Southland and moving northwards overnight and through Saturday. Heavy snow across Central Plateau including the Desert Road and National Park. Bitterly cold right across New Zealand by the end of Saturday and a big high moving in for a few days next week.
Philip Duncan
For the latest weather news keep up to date with The Radio Network's new Weather Watch Centre or the NZ Herald weather section.
Pictured above: Motorists taking it easy as snow blankets the edges of the Napier-Taupo Rd. Photo / Alan Gibson