Snow warnings issued in South Island

File picture of heavy snow falling on Coronet Peak ski field above Queenstown. Photo / File

Snow warnings for the South Island's high passes have been issued by MetService as snow showers are predicted throughout the day on Sunday.

The warnings were updated shortly before 9pm Saturday and will remain in place until 10am the following day.

Snow showers were expected Sunday afternoon and early evening at Lewis Pass and Arthurs Pass.

Morning snow showers were expected at Lindis Pass and at Mildford Road and Porters Pass snow was predicted to fall throughout the day.

Several centimetres of snow was forecast to fall near the summit of each high pass.

MetService said the warnings provided information regarding expected weather conditions, not current road conditions or about the amount of snow currently lying on any road.