South Island cold snap heads north

Mt Ruapehu is blanketed in white gold. Photo / Supplied

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It is the North Island's turn to freeze after parts of the South Island were dusted with light snow.

Mt Ruapehu also received its first snow of the year yesterday, as a cold southwest changes sweeps up the country.

Staff on the mountain yesterday awoke to a 4cm base of snow. It fell through yesterday morning, blocking roads. The mountain is to open for the season next month.

Mt Ruapehu ski area manager Steve McGill said the staff were excited about the coming season, which will officially start when the Turoa field opens on June 16. Whakapapa is expected to open the following weekend.

"We are all amped for the winter season and the snow on the mountain ... is a glorious sight for skiers and boarders," said Mr McGill.

"Winter is certainly upon us."

MetService forecaster Geoff Sanders said 5cm of snow fell in some southern areas yesterday, with light snow showers about the MacKenzie Country.

Light snow also fell on the hills about Dunedin, and Mr Sanders said Banks Peninsula may have had a light dusting too.

"Freezing levels are expected to rise over the South Island today but fall over the North Island. We're expected snow over the Desert Road by this evening, and it could even [fall] lower a little bit further to affect some of those higher roads in the Taihape area."

The conditions will improve tomorrow, Mr Sanders said.

"Tomorrow we see a general rising of the freezing levels ... so we shouldn't expect much low snow during tomorrow."

A snow warning for South Canterbury and Otago has been lifted, with no further significant snow expected about the hills of the Mackenzie Country.

Light snow showers are falling to 400 metres on the Lewis Pass and Milford Rd, but little, if any, snow is expected to accumulate and it should clear by this afternoon.

Snowy conditions have cleared on Arthurs, Lindis and Porters passes.

MetService is forecasting snow showers to develop at the top of the Desert Rd this afternoon, and then lower to 600m tonight. From 6pm through to 3am tomorrow 2-5cm is expected to accumulate.