Weatherwatch: Winter on the way back

After a week of warmer temperatures, winter is well and truly on the way back, WeatherWatch.co.nz says.

Snow and much lower temperatures were again forecast following what had been a warm week for some parts of New Zealand, WeatherWatch's head analyst Philip Duncan said.

"We've had highs of 20 degrees in some eastern areas and over the next 48 hours more highs in the late teens and early 20s are likely - mainly in eastern areas,'' he said.

A fresh surge of westerlies would move up the country over tomorrow and more into the North Island over the weekend.

Northern New Zealand was likely to be furthest from the strong winds while eastern and southern areas of both islands were again in the firing line.

Winds may reach over gale force at times in the coming days, Mr Duncan said.

By Sunday, a developing cold change would move in.

Snow might fall to low levels on the ranges in Southland and Otago around Monday and Tuesday then could affect the North Island's desert road late Tuesday and into Wednesday.

Temperatures in the main South Island centres would move to more normal mid-winter levels next week.

"Parts of Canterbury may reach 20 degrees today - but by Monday the high is 12 degrees and by Tuesday just 10. Further south Dunedin and Invercargill have a high of just 7 on Tuesday,'' Mr Duncan said.