Winter has made a vicious comeback, with gale-force winds and snow hitting the south of the country today and more of the same expected.
Strong winds with gusts in excess of 100 km/h were recorded across many parts of the lower South Island throughout the day.
MetService meteorologist John Law has warned that strong winds were set to continue and severe weather warnings remained in place for inland parts of Canterbury ahead of a front moving across the country.
A vicious southerly blast was on the heels of these strong winds, and snowfall was expected near sea level in Fiordland, Southland and Otago overnight and into tomorrow morning.
A heavy snowfall warning was issued for Fiordland, Southland and Clutha, with 10 to 20cm of snow forecast over the higher ground of the Caitlins and inland Southland.