“The wind will be coming from deep in the polar region … combined with some cloudy conditions and precipitation is going to result in low snow levels, cold temperatures and snow showers about the place.”

A heavy snow warning has been issued for inland Canterbury, from Rakaia River south, from 3pm today to 6am today, according to MetService’s updated weather warnings and watches this morning.

“Expect 15 to 20 centimetres of snow to settle above 500m, with lesser amounts down to 300m.

“Travel disruption and damage to trees and powerlines are possible. Cold conditions may cause stress for livestock.”

Inland areas of Canterbury and Marlborough, between the Rakaia River and Ward, are under a heavy snow watch from 4pm today to 9am tomorrow, with heavy falls possible above 400m.

Central Otago, including Queenstown Lakes District, is also under a watch for heavy snow from around 2pm until 10pm today.

Snow could fall to 300m in Central Otago, and 600m in Queenstown Lakes District.

Residents should prepare for possible power outages, and be prepared for disruption on roads, MetService said.

“If you must travel, drive cautiously, and ensure you have snow chains, sleeping bags, warm clothing and emergency items.”

Multiple road snowfall warnings have been issued, including for the Crown Range Rd between Queenstown and Wānaka, Milford Rd (State Highway 94), SH1 between Dunedin and Waitati, the Lindis Pass (SH6), and Haast Pass (SH6) for this afternoon and evening.

Motorists are also being warned of snowfalls expected in the Lewis Pass (SH7), Arthur’s Pass (SH73) and Porters Pass (SH73) from late afternoon today and into tomorrow morning.

And in Westland District, a watch is out for strong southeast winds approaching severe gale-force in exposed places overnight from 6pm today.

Temperatures are also plummeting across much of the South Island with some parts falling below 0C last night, and even North Islanders in for a brisk wake-up tomorrow.

Lows dipped to -6C in Twizel, -4C in Dunedin, -2 in Queenstown and -1C in Wānaka, Invercargill and Christchurch early this morning, a MetService spokeswoman said.

The chilly start prompted police to warn motorists to “take extreme care” on southern roads this morning after black ice had formed on some Southland roads and snow was forecast for Otago.

“Police have already attended one black-ice related crash this morning and are aware of another.

“Thankfully, no one has been injured but we want to ensure everyone gets to their destination safely.”

And while northern areas were comparatively toasty this morning – Wellington recorded a low of 9C and Auckland, 11C – colder temperatures loomed for all.

Most people could expert sunny weather today after wind and rain caused disruption in parts of the country yesterday, MetService head of news Heather Keats told Ryan Bridge on Herald NOW this morning.

There were still showers across a large swathe of the North Island and parts of the South Island early this morning, with lightning was detected around the Kaikōura coast and East Cape.

Once that cleared this morning, most Kiwis would enjoy a blue sky day, Keats said.

“[But] another low out to the east will redirect the flow to pretty much direct southerly.

“We are going to have biting cold temperatures, below average temperatures [tomorrow].”

Wānaka was expected to dip to -5C and even Aucklanders would feel the chill with a low of 6C forecast overnight.

“In Gisborne, it’s 21C today, 12C tomorrow.”

Wānaka was forecast to be the coldest part of the country over the next three days, said Lyden.

“Low temperatures on Saturday of -3C, lows on Sunday down to -6C and Monday morning -5C.

“The high temperatures are also going to be very low. Saturday is looking at a high temperature of 3C and Sunday is looking at a high temperature of 2C.”

According to MetService forecasts, Queenstown will only reach a high of 6C today and a low of -2C, and a high of 4C and a low of -4C tomorrow.

Invercargill will hit a high of 7C and a low of 0C today, while Christchurch will only reach 8C today and fall to a low of 2C.