A MetService warning issued today said a vigorous cold front is expected to reach the lower South Island by midnight tonight, then move rapidly north over the country tomorrow.
"Strong to gale southerlies spread over the country behind this front, with snow to low levels about southern and eastern parts of the South Island and lower North Island.
"Snow is expected to lower to 100 metres about Southland and southern parts of Otago during Wednesday morning," the alert said
Snow accumulations may approach warning amounts above 300 metres in Southland and South Otago.