Snow blankets Christchurch

Heavy snow blanketed Christchurch today as the winter cold continued to be felt across both the North and South Islands.

Snow began falling in Christchurch about 7am today and covered most of the city.

Tony Stuart, who lives on the Cashmere Hills, said it was very cold in the city and the snow was about 20mm deep on the deck around his house.

"You look around and it is just white.

"It is very heavy snowflakes but before that it was quite flaky."

He said the snow had not caused any access problems but Christchurch people were tired of the winter.

"I have had a bloody gutsful of the weather," he said.

In the North Island snow closed Rimutaka Hill between Upper Hutt and Wairarapa.

Police said snow began to fall heavily about 7.40am and the road was closed 20 minutes later.

The MetService said snow showers were expected on the road until early tomorrow morning.

Another 2-4cm was likely to fall before 6am, and the MetService warned that 8cm could fall in some places.

Snow was also likely to fall on the Desert road until early tomorrow, with 1-3cm expected.

In the South Island, snow was likely to fall on the Lewis and Porters Pass roads until this evening.

- NZPA