Boxing Day weather: cold conditions, rain forecast in New Zealand

Unusually cold temperatures can be expected in many parts of the country this weekend as southerly winds bring rain.

Temperatures are expected to plummet for many.

Ashburton’s high for today is expected to reach 13C – 8C below average for this time of year.

And it will be a winter wonderland for the South Island, as snow is forecast to fall at 1,000 meters.

A low weather system over north Canterbury this morning is expected to deepen, spreading rain and strong southerly winds over the coastal parts of the region.

The heaviest rains are expected on the Banks Peninsula. MetService has issued a weather alert for the area, which could reach a warning level.

Generally, the climate in the South Island is the opposite of that of the North Island, with a rainy climate in the south and good conditions in the north.

However, Northland and Auckland can look forward to a few morning showers before kicking off into mostly good weather.

The Coromandel Peninsula to Manawatū, including the Bay of Plenty and the Central Highlands, is mostly fine, but there will be some rains in the west.

Conditions are good initially before afternoon or evening rains with possible thunderstorms in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay.

There are good times and some rain for Horowhenua, Kapiti, Wellington and Wairarapa. Thunderstorms are possible this morning in Wellington and Kapiti.

Marlborough, Nelson and Buller will have rain and good times. The rains will be more frequent and more intense starting this afternoon.

Westland is well before heavy rains appear inland from the afternoon.

Periods of rain will be heavy at times and thunderstorms may be in the Canterbury Highlands this afternoon.

Otago, Southland and Fiordland can expect scattered showers this morning before they subside in the afternoon.

On Sunday, there will be scattered showers or showers developing for the majority on the North Island, with cold southerly winds in the south and east.

On the South Island, conditions are partly cloudy or good for most.

Canterbury to Marlborough can expect rain and cold southerly winds. Nelson and Buller will shower in the afternoon.