Cold temperatures are expected to bite down on the region this week, with a high chance of frost and snow down to 500 metres.
MetService meteorologist Liz Walsh said while northwesterly flows brought mild temperatures to the region last week, wintry weather was on the way and temperatures were expected to drop noticeably from Wednesday onwards.
Scattered rain was expected today and for much of the week.
Tomorrow would be mainly fine with showers spreading from the ranges in the evening.
Showers would persist through Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.