A severe weather warning for Otago and Southland was issued yesterday as snowfalls of 10cm-15cm were forecast.
A front crossed the lower South Island yesterday and was expected to be followed by a strong, cold, southwest change.
Forecaster Andy Downes said snowfalls down to 100m-200m in Otago, especially the Catlins, last night and to noon today were expected.
"Snowfall amounts here look unlikely to reach warning criteria. However, they could still cause some problems on higher roads such as the northern motorway out of Dunedin."
Significant snowfalls of 10cm-15cm were likely above 200m last night and this morning, especially about the Catlins, where there could be 20cm in places, he said.
Winds were expected to reach gale force about coastal parts of Southland and Otago, "making for bitterly cold temperatures and possible blizzard conditions about the coastal hills".
People in these areas were advised that higher roads were likely to be affected and farmers might wish to move vulnerable stock to sheltered locations.
Snow was also likely down to 200m (Roslyn overbridge 165m) in Dunedin but amounts were unlikely to reach warning criteria, he said.
