Blizzard conditions predicted to hit the deep south again this weekend are "certainly not welcome", Federated Farmers Southland president Rod Pemberton says.
A cold southwest outbreak was expected to travel across New Zealand, with the harshest weather expected to hit those areas in the South badly affected by heavy snow and winds at the end of last month, MetService said in a special weather advisory yesterday.
Mr Pemberton said: "They're still recovering. This is not good for them at all."
Forecaster Andy Downs said the first front was expected to cross the South Island today, bringing snow to the alpine passes.
But from tomorrow morning to Monday morning, snow showers were likely to near sea level in Southland, South Otago, Dunedin and Fiordland.
"This, combined with strong, bitterly cold southwesterlies, gale about the coastal hills, is again likely to produce blizzard conditions and put extreme stress on newborn stock."
Roads above 200m in these areas were likely to be affected.
The outbreak was not expected to last as long as last month's, with conditions easing on Monday. However, frosts and icy conditions were expected on Monday night.
Mr Pemberton said farmers would be quite concerned about the forecast, especially those in the middle of lambing.
Of most concern would be the effect the cold conditions would have on grass growth as many were short on stock feed.
"It's still pretty wet but the warm days had helped, but now this will slow things up."
