Snow showers to sea level and gale-force southwest winds are predicted in Dunedin and Clutha today.
MetService issued a special weather advisory yesterday warning that a very cold southwest flow will spread over southern South Island areas today, bringing a brief return to wintry conditions.
Meteorologist Dan corbett said snow showers were expected down to 100m or 200m and sleety showers to sea-level this evening.
''Although snowfalls are not expected to be heavy enough to warrant a snow warning, 5cm to 10cm of snow may accumulate in Southland, Clutha and Dunedin above about 200m.''
Southwest winds were likely to rise to gale force about the coast and hilltops, with a temperature high of only 10degC today and 11degC tomorrow.
Farmers and were advised to prepare for strong winds and snowy conditions and shelter any vulnerable livestock. The snow might also affect some roads in Southland and eastern parts of Otago. Snow showers were expected to clear from all areas tomorrow morning.
Thousands of Canterbury residents remain without power after this week's severe storm, and some are unlikely to be reconnected until next week, electricity supplier Orion says.
About 7000 customers were still without power yesterday after 2000 had their electricity restored overnight on Thursday.
Power had been restored to Orion's major rural substations apart from one in Burnham.
