This comes as the Queenstown Lakes District Council announced this afternoon it was closing the Crown Range Road, linking Queenstown and Wanaka, from 10pm tonight until 6am tomorrow due to expected snow to 600m.
Motorists should also have a set of chains in their vehicle especially if using the road frequently in winter.
Road users will have to use State Highway 6 via Cromwell if travelling between 10pm tonight and 6am tomorrow.
Meanwhile, snow was also expected to affect higher parts of alpine roads the Lewis Pass (SH 7) and Lindis Pass (SH 8) until late on Thursday night.
The Milford Road (SH 94) was expected to get up to 5cm of snow tonight. The road is closed from the Homer Tunnel (East Portal) to Murrells for maintenance work and was set to reopen at 4am on Saturday.
MetService said a cold front was moving northeast over the country today, followed by strong southwesterly winds which will cause heavy swells on the coast.
"The winds may approach severe gale in exposed parts of Southland, Clutha and Dunedin from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning."
The front is expected to bring a short period of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms to western parts of the South Island.
"There is a moderate risk of thunderstorms about Westland and Buller this afternoon."
A lower risk covers other areas such as southern Southland and the coastal area around Dunedin.
BLACK ICE ON ROADS
The wintry conditions prompted warnings for motorists in the South, with snow and black ice reported in several areas this morning.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council advised of black ice on roads across the district, especially between Arrowtown and Queenstown on Malaghans Rd.
Light snow falling on the Crown Range earlier today forced motorists to fit chains. Conditions then eased, with drivers allowed to tackle alpine highway between Arrow Junction and Cardrona while only carrying chains.
However, the Queenstown Lakes District Council warned drivers to take extreme care on the route, particularly on the summit and through the "ice box'' - where there are accident black spot signs - on the Cardrona side of the summit.
Grit had been applied since early this morning by council contractor Downer.
GLENORCHY ROAD OPEN
The road between Glenorchy and Queenstown (at Bob's Cove) reopened about 1.30am today. The road was closed after two accidents last night, one of which involved a vehicle striking a power pole, cutting power to some customers.
There was no word on any injuries.
The Central Otago District Council reported it was frosty across the network but roads were open except for Danseys Pass Road, which is closed owing to snow.
About 7.30am MetService showed most parts of Otago above 0degC. The forecaster said the South could expect scattered showers today, some heavy with hail, and snow to 600m.
