SC snow dump likely tonight

A late spring snow dump forecast to arrive this evening is expected to have a severe impact on farmers in the midst or at the end of lambing and calving season.

MetService has issued a heavy snow watch for the inland area from the Rangitata River to Central Otago with showers expected on-and-off for the rest of the week.

MetService meteorologist Kyle Lee urged South Cantabrians to secure outdoor possessions ahead of the wind, rain and snow expected to batter the area this week.

‘‘With the brunt of the heavy rain and snow hitting overnight, make sure everything’s secure as there could be some strong winds.’’

‘‘The whole South Island can expect to see wet and windy weather tomorrow [Tuesday] with snow lowering to as low as 300 metres in inland parts of Canterbury, the heaviest snow above 500m.

‘‘Although it is not common to get snow this low at this time of year, we’ve seen it before during those cooler, more unsettled spring seasons.’’

Federated Farmers South Canterbury branch president Jason Grant said the forecast weather would have an impact on farmers and stock.

‘‘It will have a severe impact on lambs and ewes wanting to get a bit of grass,’’ Grant said.

‘‘The only consolation is snow melts quite quickly at this time of year. Hopefully it [the snow] doesn’t last too long and we get some warm weather.’’

Grant said farming over the spring season had been ‘‘going quite smoothly’’, helped along by a mild winter.

‘‘We’ve had the right amount of rain to keep us going strong,’’ he said.

MetService’s heavy snow watch would also encompass inland Canterbury north of the Rangitata River from 7pm Tuesday to 4am Wednesday and the Kaikoura Ranges from 10pm Tuesday to 6am Wednesday.

Lee said South Cantabrians should brace for a cold start tomorrow morning.

NZ Transport Agency spokeswoman Frances Adank advised people to check the agency’s Twitter feed for information relating to road closures before setting off on any journey.

Lee said while it was unfortunate last weekend’s sunny weather would not continue through the week, it was ‘‘quite typical of spring’’ as ‘‘systems move through rather quickly’’.

‘‘It’s unfortunately going to be changeable and that’s the nature of spring.’’

Another front was expected to hit South Canterbury on Saturday, making for a poor start to Labour Weekend.

‘‘It will have a severe impact on lambs and ewes wanting to get a bit of grass.’’

Jason Grant