Snow has been falling in Dunedin and other parts of Otago and Southland as a burst of cold air comes across the country.
MetService meteorologist Claire Flynn said reports had been coming in from many parts of Otago and Southland since early this morning.
Parts of Otago had recorded 2cm to 3cm of snow accumulated this morning, Ms Flynn said, and snow flurries had been falling in the hill suburbs of Dunedin.
MetService had warned that heavy snow would fall today about eastern Southland and Clutha, and 15cm to 25cm could accumulate above 300 metres until midnight tonight, especially about the Catlins.
The combination of strong southwesterlies and snow showers is likely to bring blizzard conditions, putting vulnerable livestock at risk, MetService warned.
The snow will also affect many roads and may cause disruption to transport.
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Ms Flynn said the snow level would rise tonight, but there could be some snowfall down to low levels tomorrow morning.
In the north, rain showers that were heavy in parts of Auckland this morning have moved into Northland. Some parts of Auckland recorded 4mm to 5mm rainfall in one hour.
"It would have felt very heavy in some parts," Ms Flynn said.
"That trough is now sitting across Northland, so they'll be getting those same showers."
The rain would move further north and away from the country throughout the day.
Tonight and tomorrow night temperatures would be very low in some parts of the country and severe frosts were a risk, Ms Flynn said.
