After the snow, heavy rain and gales forecast

The snow is melting across many parts of New Zealand but the weather could take another stormy turn by the end of the week.

MetService meteorologist Andrew James said ‘‘very unsettled’’ weather was set to affect parts of the country.

A freezing blast saw the temperature drop as low as -8 degrees Celsius at the start of the week, with snowfalls closing roads, schools, and delaying travel in both the North and South Islands.

Snow fell in Dunedin and many towns in Central Otago and Southland on Monday morning, while falls had been seen as far north as Rotorua.

Most roads had reopened by yesterday morning, except State Highway 94 between Te Anau and Milford – the Milford Road – which remained closed due to snow.

MetService said a deep low brewing to the northwest could bring heavy rain and gales by the coming weekend.

‘‘It looks like the next round of severe weather will have quite a different flavour compared to the last round,’’ said MetService meteorologist Angus Hines. ‘‘The focus will shift away from snow and cold, and we could be looking at heavy rain and strong winds in their place. It’s possible this could be just as impactful.’’

Showers or rain would spread across the South Island in the west, with possibly heavy falls in the south tomorrow.

Heavy rain could hit the north of the North Island on Friday.

Looking ahead, there could be a ‘‘colder change’’, James explained, but it was ‘‘premature’’ to focus on potential wild weather for next week.