Southerners look set to get a brief blast of bad weather today before better conditions settle in over the long weekend.
A heavy hailstorm hit Central Otago this afternoon, including Miller's Flat follwed by steady rain.
A trough with various frontal features is crossing the country today, bringing rain to many South Island areas.
MetService said showers would become widespread and heavy from afternoon, with hail possible in some parts of Otago, including Dunedin.
Snow was forecast down to 800 metres this evening, prompting warnings for the Lindis, Porters and Lewis passes.
A ridge should spread on to the South Island tomorrow, ushering in better weather for Labour Weekend.
MetService said it would be mainly fine in the South Island on Saturday, with morning frosts in some places.
Sunday would be mainly fine, with some cloudy periods, while rain could develop in the north and west on Monday. There would be high cloud elsewhere, with patchy rain in the south later.
