Blue Skies Weather & Climate Services has provided a forecast for the Canterbury High Country and Plains for the coming week.

While tomorrow will see heavy rain and snow further south in Otago, the Canterbury region will remain relatively uneventful.

However, colder air is expected to move northwards over Canterbury on Tuesday, bringing periods of rain and moderate snowfall on Tuesday and Wednesday.

From Thursday, a very cold southeasterly airflow will cause light snow flurries at times through Saturday, with occasional sleety showers across the plains.

The weather is expected to clear by Sunday, resulting in frosty conditions.

For Farmers:

Colder air will arrive on Tuesday with initial rain, causing snow to lower to 500 metres during the afternoon and 300 metres by evening, with steady falls likely on Tuesday night.

Accumulations are expected to be 5-10cm above 500 metres and 3-5cm above 300 metres.

From Thursday through Saturday, very cold temperatures will persist. The western Plains and hills will experience mostly fine weather with sunny periods, though there will be brief periods of cloud and isolated light snow flurries above 300 metres at times.

The eastern Plains and coastal areas will be mostly cloudy, with occasional light sleety showers.

Snow flurries above 300 metres are expected on Banks Peninsula, with showers clearing by Saturday night.

For Travellers:

Most passes are expected to be affected by snow later on Tuesday, with some passes potentially closing on Tuesday night.

Higher roads in the western hill country and Banks Peninsula may also be impacted on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

From Thursday onwards, only roads on Banks Peninsula are likely to be affected, but sleety showers may persist through Saturday.