Be sure to keep warm over the next few days, as a wintry blast is set to bring colder-than-average temperatures to most parts of the country.
MetService has issued a number of severe weather watches for heavy rain, low level snow and gales; as well a severe thunderstorm watch, thanks to a cold-weather system moving over New Zealand on Wednesday and Thursday.
The heaviest snowfalls were expected in Fiordland, where a heavy snow watch also remains active. Snow falling above 300m should lower to 100m late on Wednesday afternoon or evening, before rising above 500m on Thursday morning.
The Milford Road (SH94) was closed due to snow on Wednesday morning, but was only set to reopen between 2pm and 4pm. Snow was also predicted for Thursday and the road was likely to reopen mid-morning, the NZTA advised.
In Dunedin, showers, some possibly heavy with hail from Wednesday afternoon, and snow possibly as low as 300 metres has been forecast.
Showers were expected to turn into snow in Queenstown on Wednesday afternoon, before easing. Showers and hail were also forecast for Christchurch, Invercargill and Oamaru.
Snow flurries down to 300 metres may also affect Southland, Stewart Island, Clutha and the Canterbury high country
Snow warnings are in place for alpine roads and state highways in both islands.
"Snow is expected to affect higher roads and passes of central and southern New Zealand, with snow forecast to low levels across eastern and southern parts of the South Island, a MetService spokesman said.
In Dunedin, Clutha, Southland and Stewart Island winds may approach severe gale in exposed places, especially coastal areas from 6am to 6pm on Thursday.
In the South Island, temperature highs of just 7C to 8C in Southland and Otago were forecast, with 10C to 13C in Canterbury and 13C to 15C in Marlborough and Nelson.
Up north, between 14C to 17C are forecast for Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, and between 9C and 13C on the western parts of the North Island.
ROAD SNOWFALL WARNING
A number of road snowfall warnings are in place and are valid until 10pm on Wednesday.
In the South Island the areas affected are: the Lewis Pass, Arthur's Pass, Porters Pass, Haast Pass, Lindis Pass, Crown Range Road, Milford Road and Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1).
Danseys Pass Road is restricted to 4WD (from the gates past the Danseys Pass Hotel) due to snow and ice on Wednesday, the Central Otago District Council advised.
The Napier-Taupo road (SH5) and Desert Road (SH1) in the central North Island were also likely to be affected by snow.
Motorists in the area are warned that showers may turn to snow and settle on roads above 600m.
People are told to stay up-to-date with weather forecasts and alerts.
- NZ Herald and ODT Online
