The MetService issued heavy rain and strong wind watches for the coastal South Island from the Catlins to Christchurch, extending about 20km inland from the coast, as a southwesterly front moved up the island.
The heavy rain was mostly expected in the morning in Otago, and the watch was due to end at 11am.
However, strong winds stuck around until about 5pm.
Those winds approached gale force in exposed areas and made driving difficult in some areas.
There was a decent snowfall inland though it was not expected to stay around for long.
There was 10cm of snow at Cardrona Alpine Resort between Queenstown and Wānaka yesterday morning but it was not expected to stay around for long.
In Naseby, resident Richard Garden said the Central Otago town was hit with snow showers, sleet and cold rain yesterday morning.
He said the temperature was about 1°C at 8.45am yesterday, having dropped from 4°C about 6am.
The snow was not settling but it was a "cold, miserable morning", and he lit the fire to keep himself warm.
The poor weather thankfully will not stick around for too long, however.
The forecast for today through to the weekend is for settled weather and temperatures are expected to hover in the high teens to low 20s.
— APL/RNZ
