While Otago has been basking in summer-like conditions for the past few days, winter is about to return.
Dunedin has recorded temperatures of up to 19degC this week, but the MetService has issued a special advisory warning of a cold outbreak expected to hit the South tonight and spread quickly northwards tomorrow.
''Snow [is] likely to low levels in Fiordland, Southland and parts of Otago by early Friday morning,'' the MetService says.
Snow might fall to near 200m.
The heaviest falls were likely above 400m or 500m, about the Fiordland Mountains, and on the inland hills and ranges of Southland and Otago, including the Catlins.
Temperatures would barely reach two figures in Dunedin and the rest of the region tomorrow and Saturday, and overnight lows would drop to between 0degC and 5degC around the region.
''In these areas, cold temperatures, combined with strong to gale-force winds, are likely to result in severe wind chills and potential blizzard-like conditions in exposed places, especially Friday night to early Saturday.''
Snow was likely to affect many higher roads from Thursday night into Friday.
