Time to wrap up as cold snap settles in

Saskia Shand splashes down on the mud run at Arahoe Primary School in New Lynn. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Snow warnings are in place in parts of the South Island, while the rest of the country can wrap up warm as temperatures continue to drop.

The MetService has issued road snowfall warnings in Arthurs Pass, Porters Pass and Lindis Pass in the South Island and for high-country farms in Otago that might be hit by snow as the colder weather sets in.

Yesterday, sleet covered Dunedin and Queenstown and snow was scattered on the hills above them.

The Crown Range Rd between Queenstown and Wanaka was closed about 4.30pm because of snow after several vehicles became stuck.

An overnight snowfall warning was also issued for the Rimutaka Hill Rd north of Wellington.

The MetService said southwesterly winds would continue to bring showery weather.

"Heavy showers are mostly now affecting places like Northland and Auckland," said meteorologist Peter Little.

"Some could be heavy and thundery during late morning time and through the afternoon but it's unlikely it will be quite the display of thunder activity that we have seen in the last couple of days in Auckland.

Rain made the mud run at Arahoe Primary School in New Lynn, West Auckland, more of a mud bath and people crawled and pulled their way through the muddy obstacles.

Thousands of people taking part in the marches for Moko held around the country also struggled to keep dry as showers came and went.

Mr Little said the Waikato and Auckland would continue to switch between sunshine and showers for the next few days.

Hawkes Bay and Gisborne were the best places for fine weather.

The cold snap was expected to continue as the temperature fell a couple of degrees from last week.