Don’t chill just yet, wintry storm on way, Niwa says

We may be almost halfway through spring, but don’t put away your warm layers yet – there’s a wintry storm on the horizon.

Niwa said there was potential for a ‘‘significant wintry storm’’ later this week and it may bring freezing temperatures and widespread snow for the south.

‘‘October has been tranquil so far, but that may change by [Thursday to Friday]: snow, strong/gusty winds and some heavy rainfall along with a sharp cold snap is possible,’’ Niwa said on Twitter.

It warned people to ‘‘keep an eye on the forecast’’.

Metservice said people should make the most of the settled start to the week.

‘‘As we head into the later part of the week a complex low is set to move over New Zealand from the west.

‘‘The low is likely to bring strong winds and a dose of heavy rain to several regions, even snow to 400 metres is possible in the south.’’

Niwa’s meteorologist Ben Noll said on its Facebook: ‘‘The disturbance of interest is currently swirling near 60 degrees south latitude but is forecast to reach the Tasman Sea on Wednesday and strengthen.

‘‘The resulting weather from later Thursday through Friday may pack quite a punch, with the potential for major South Island snowfall, strong/gusty winds, and some heavy rainfall along with a sharp cold snap lingering through the weekend.

‘‘If your plans involve travelling (especially South Island) later this week or you have flights booked, you’ll want to keep a close eye on the forecast. It may be a challenge picking outfits too, because November-like warmth will be replaced by July-like chill for some in the south.’’

Metservice expected things to kick off late today when a high lying over the North Island should move off to the east. Late today or tomorrow, a front was expected to move from the Tasman Sea onto the south of the South Island, bringing heavy rain. ‘‘Several lows are expected to develop on the low and lie over the North Island on Friday, bringing strong cold southerlies to the South Island on Wednesday and the North Island on Friday. There is likely to be some significant snowfalls as well, mainly about the higher ground,’’ Metservice said.