MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said the calm and settled weather the lower South Island had been enjoying would cease for the next few days as wind watches came into effect yesterday.
A southerly blast is forecast to hit the South today. Video: MetService
The wind would be followed by rain and snow across much of the South, he said.
"It’s going to be quite similar to what happened early last week. It’s not looking quite as cold, but it’s a similar flavour."
Dunedin was being treated to some unseasonal warmth on Tuesday morning, ahead of the forecast change. Around 9.20am MetService was showing the city as the warmest centre in the country, on 16degC.
Northland centres Kaitaia and Whangarei were the next warmest, both on 15degC.
Ferris said a strong wind watch in force for Central Otago from 3pm yesterday until 3pm today was due to make Dunedin breezy.
But after the wind had done its dash, the rain would pick up, he said.
The wind would mainly come from the west throughout much of today, but it would turn later in the day.
The southerly, or southwesterly, change, would bring a drop in temperatures.
That was also when Dunedin would most likely get rain.
There was the potential for snow to fall overnight and into tomorrow, Mr Ferris said.
MetService is predicting snow to low levels (100m) and said it could briefly become heavy.
Snow amounts could approach warning criteria above 400m during this time.
A snow watch is also in place for Fiordland south of Dusky Sound between 9pm today and 6am tomorrow.
A heavy rain watch is in place for the Otago headwaters for 12 hours from 3am today.
