Northeast flow to bring relief to frozen south

It’s still going to be really frosty [on Monday] morning but fine. As the week progresses it just gradually gets warmer.

Stephen Glassey

MetService meteorologist

The thaw is coming for southerners stiffened by a week of freezing overnight lows and paltry daily highs.

A northeast flow is expected to strengthen over the South Island tomorrow, followed by a front that would bring warmer temperatures and rain.

Since last week, large parts of the mainland have shivered through nights well below freezing. Ashburton dropped to -6.9 degrees Celsius overnight on Saturday. Christchurch reached -5.3C.

MetService meteorologist Stephen Glassey said this morning would be the last of the spate of heavy frosts.

‘‘It’s still going to be really frosty [on Monday] morning but fine. As the week progresses it just gradually gets warmer.

‘‘For Tuesday we’re forecasting 11C [for Christchurch] and then Wednesday a maximum of 14C. The overnight minimums won’t be as cold either.’’

Other parts of the South Island could expect similar relief, he said, although the front would bring rain to the West Coast and parts of Nelson and western Marlborough.

‘‘In Canterbury it’s probably mostly just high cloud and maybe just a few spots [of rain],’’ Glassey said.

The front would bring rain to the north and west of the North Island as well.

‘‘It will be too warm for snow to fall to low levels like it did last week,’’ Glassey said.

The front is expected to clear the country on Thursday.

Another low is expected on Friday, potentially bringing a return to cold weather next weekend.