The MetService is forecasting a week of contrasting weather, with a chilly blast expected to bring unseasonable cold and snow to low levels on Thursday (October 26) night and into Friday for the lower South Island.

A heavy rain warning is in place for the headwaters of our lakes from 8pm tonight (Wednesday October 25) until 7am tomorrow morning with 130-150mm of rain expected about the main divide and 75-85mm further east with thunderstorms.

“It will feel like someone has turned the dial back to winter mode,” MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said.

“This may have an impact on livestock and farmers are encouraged ... to prepare accordingly. Travel may also be impacted on Friday as widespread snow showers are expected across the South Island.”

The bitterly cold southwesterly flow is forecast to bring showers or snow to much of the South Island on Friday, even falling near sea level in Southland and coastal Otago, including Clutha.

Road snowfall warnings are in place for the Haast Pass, Lindis Pass and Crown Range overnight Thursday. See the Roads section of your Wānaka App for updates.

Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.

IMAGE: MetService