4 Sep 2013

Wintry grip replaces spring weather

10:47 pm on 4 September 2013

A cold front gripping the country is forecast to bring more heavy snow and gales to parts of the country from Wednesday night.

MetService says a southerly flow is strengthening and gales will become severe overnight in the lower North Island, with gusts of 120kmh.

The service says winds will be strong enough to damage insecure structures and make driving dangerous for motorcycles and high-sided vehicles.

MetService says there is likely to be snow down to 200m in parts of Canterbury and Marlborough, and up to 20cm could accumulate by Thursday morning.

It says the blizzard-like conditions could cause stress to livestock and make driving dangerous.