Brace yourself: wintry storm ahead

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

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 [later this week]. Snow, strong/gusty winds and some heavy rainfall, along with a sharp cold snap, are 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 meteorologist Ben Noll said on its Facebook page: ‘‘The disturbance of interest is currently swirling near 60 degrees south latitude but is forecast to reach the Tasman Sea tomorrow and strengthen.

‘‘The resulting weather from later Thursday through to 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 in the 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 Julylike chill for some.’’

MetService expected things to kick off late today when a high lying over the North Island should move off to the east.

Niwa said that many regions across the country could use some rain, and calmer weather was expected to follow quickly the storm.

‘‘It may be a challenge picking outfits too . . .’’ Niwa meteorologist Ben Noll