Snow is continuing to fall on the Crown Range, between Queenstown and Wanaka, this morning and motorists have been advised to carry chains as a precaution.
The Remarkables ski area, scheduled to open next Saturday, received 5cm overnight, while Coronet Peak - expected to open on June 15 - got 6cm.
Milford Rd was closed for a short time this morning for snow clearing operations.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council road report said the Crown Range Rd had been gritted and there was potential for "icy spots" and warned motorists to lookout for surface flooding because of recent rains.
The council also looked ahead to the forecast of snow later today.
"The forecast suggests we might experience a dramatic change to winter conditions throughout the day, so get your chains and put them in the boot now if you haven't already.
"You should always carry your chains!"
Late last night the MetService issued road snowfall warnings for Lindis Pass, saying snow was expected to affect the road above about 600m.
Between 5pm this afternoon and 2am Saturday, 3cm to 6cm of snow was expected to settle about the summit of the road, with lesser amounts down to 600m.
A warning was also in place for the Crown Range Rd above 600m. Between 4pm and 1am tomorrow 3cm to 6cm of snow was expected above 900m, with lesser amounts to 600m.
A warning was also in place for the Milford Rd where a few snow showers were expected last night. Another brief blast was possible above 800m between 10am and 2pm today.
Heavy snow watches are in place for the Kaikoura Ranges and the Canterbury High Country and foothills, mainly north Mt Cook for tomorrow.
MetService meteorologist Peter Little said a strong, cold southerly flow could bring snow to the ranges of the South Island tomorrow and early on Sunday.
It was possible it could fall as low as 500m over the weekend, he said.
"It will affect some of the higher parts of the southern region, and potentially some of the higher passes.''
He said the snow was good news for the opening of skifields this weekend.
"Skifields will be getting a decent dump of snow.
"There's really been very little snow so far. This is the first significant dump of the year.
"It's really perfectly timed.''
He said temperatures in much of Southland and Central Otago were forecast to reach a high of 6degC-7degC tomorrow and could drop as low as zero overnight.
