AN IMPROVING PICTURE FOR OUR SATURDAY – WIDESPREAD FROSTS DEVELOPING TONIGHT.

(Updated 5:10am Saturday morning) 

Good morning. Our cold southerly change is still bringing occasional showers to parts of the region this morning; more persistent about Coastal Canterbury North of Banks Peninsula. Heavy rain effected many areas overnight, with snow touching down to around 400m in heavier falls.

We’re still waiting on official numbers regarding snow accumulations and rainfall totals, but it appears the Kaikoura District received the heavier falls – more to come.

Our Saturday will only improve, with increasing sunny spells by midday and those fresh cold SW winds will ease back by midday. Expect widespread frosts tonight, with many inland areas, especially in the High Country hovering on -3,-4 degrees by 7am Sunday morning. Take care on the alpine passes, with snow overnight. Currently (5:10am) Chains are required on Arthur’s Pass.

Keep up to date with our ‘Live News Feed’ for all the latest information through the day.

GENERAL SUMMARY FOR CANTERBURY – PLEASE CHECK YOUR TOWN FORECAST FOR MORE SPECIFIC INFORMATION.

TODAY: Conditions improving across the region this morning. Showers and snow above 600m about the Kaikoura District and North Canterbury clearing by midday. A mostly sunny afternoon across the entire region. Fresh SW winds ease. Cooler day time ‘highs’. Frosts at night. H: 9-12 L: -1 to 2

SUNDAY: Early morning frosts for many inland areas. Mostly sunny skies, with light winds. High cloud developing in the West during the afternoon. A superb day across the region. H: 12-14 L: 2-4

MONDAY: Extensive high cloud, with the chance of a few sunny spells. Spill over showers at times about the High Country & Foothills. Northerlies about the Coast & nor-west winds about the High Country. Milder temperatures across the region. H: 13-16 L: 4-6

TUESDAY: A mostly fine start to the day, with high cloud and sunny spells. Afternoon southerly change, with widespread showers and periods of more persistent rain setting in. Snow lowering to 500-600m about the Canterbury High Country & Foothills. H: 11-13 L: 2-4

Source our town pages for 1-7 day forecast for 23 towns across Canterbury – no computer-generated content and specific information for each town.

OUR NEW ADDITION: The ‘Live News Feed’ is now up and running providing the most detailed, intensive and comprehensive weather coverage for Canterbury – check it out, constantly updated you won’t get better coverage. Located below the Situation on our home page – this will be on all town pages by the end of week.  What does the Live New Feed cover? Click on our article

The ‘Situation’ will be reviewed & updated around or before 5:00pm Saturday evening.

Weather Analyst: Russell Voice

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