No business like snow business

NATASHA MARTIN/Timaru Herald

UPLIFTING: Richard Willis and daughter Claudia, 8, of Christchurch, enjoy Mt Dobson Ski Area's 90cm base on Saturday's opening day with more snow forecast this week

Relevant offers

Temperatures are set to plummet again as sub-Antarctic air runs last week's milder weather out of town.

Dunedin and South Otago look likely to bear the brunt of biting south-westerly winds and snow from tonight through to late tomorrow.

Conditions in Canterbury are not expected to be as severe, but snow is forecast tomorrow to close to sea-level, especially around Banks Peninsula.

Another snowy blast is likely to hit the east of the South Island at the end of the week.

MetService forecaster Mark Pascoe said the cold air was going to "stick around for quite some time".

"Most of the week it will be cold and it'll probably snow on Banks Peninsula. It'll get pretty low, close to sea-level, probably down to 100 metres.

"Tuesday morning will be a pretty rough morning for Dunedin."

MetService issued a heavy snow warning for Southland, South Otago and Dunedin last night, predicting up to 25 centimetres of snow to 200m from this morning to 9pm tomorrow, with 5cm to sea-level.

The heaviest falls are expected from 6pm to 3am, with blizzard conditions and drifting snow closing some roads.

Pascoe did not rule out some snow in Christchurch city tomorrow, but said it would probably be more sleet.

Blue Skies Weather forecaster Tony Trewinnard said "it will get very cold" tomorrow and the peninsula would "get a few more snow showers".

"Temperatures will be significantly cold, in single figures all week with some good frosts inland."

The Mt Dobson Ski Area opened on Saturday in fine, clear weather, with about 1300 snow lovers enjoying a 90cm base.

- © Fairfax NZ News