Snow is falling in Central Otago as the anticipated wintry blast hits the far south.
Earlier this morning rain started to fall across Southland in the prelude to days of heavy snow, icy gales and heavy rain expected to spread across New Zealand.
Snow falls at Cardrona Ski Resort as a cold front sweeps up the South Island. Picture / Jen Houltham
By mid-morning skifield workers said snow wasfalling steadily on the mountains with the storm "well and truly underway" at Cardrona Alpine Resort near Queenstown.
A major tourist highway linking Te Anau and Queenstown has been reopened mid-morning after snow was cleared but at least one alpine shuttle service has suspended Wednesday trips across the island ahead of the icy blast.
Freezing fog and black ice are proving treacherous for southern motorists with a spate of crashes in Queenstown at daybreak because of slippery conditions.
Busy weather map for the South Island on Tuesday. Purple is snow!
In Queenstown black ice has formed after a rain shower froze, and police are warning motorists to avoid unnecessary travel.
A lorry that flipped on to its side in the unforgiving conditions had left the main highway into Queenstown partially blocked. Long traffic queues were forming as contractors worked to right the vehicle and reopen all lanes.
Air New Zealand said today's icy conditions threatened to disrupt air travel in and out of the southern tourist capital.
Skiers take shelter in the new gondola at Cardrona Ski Resort. Picture / James Mulcahy
West Coast Shuttles owner Cedric Trounson said the return trip across Arthur's and Porters Pass was cancelled tomorrow ahead of snow affecting travel on the island's alpine roads.
MetService said snow was expected to fall to very low levels over the next two days. One forecaster is tipping it will get down to sea level across Southland and Otago. MetService says it's likely to fall as low as 200-300m above sea level from this afternoon until Thursday.
Skiers and boarders brave the harsh wintry conditions at the Cardrona ski field. Picture / James Mulcahy
Up to 30cm could fall in the high country from Banks Peninsula to Southland.
Travel across both islands is expected to be disrupted and farmers have shifted livestock ahead of the coming icy blast.
South Island high country farmers are relying on winter feed crops and hay to get through three days of snow storms forecast.
Coleridge Downs Station manager Tony Plunket is confident they have plenty of feed for their sheep, deer and cattle.
Coastal regions are on alert for possible flooding from strong onshore winds, high waves and heavy rain. Waves of up to 4m are expected in Cook Strait.
The North Island is expected to be in the firing line tomorrow, when gales are expected to batter Taranaki to Gisborne and snow and heavy rain will fall across the lower half of the island.
"We're hoping this forecast stays true so we can open more lift facilities at both Turoa and Whakapapa. The long range forecast is looking clear for Saturday and Sunday too so it definitely has the potential to be an epic weekend."
Roading authorities last night closed the highway connecting Milford to Te Anau ahead of overnight snow.
Ice warnings are in force across many Otago highways.
