The first real blast of winter is sweeping up the country as a southerly front dumps rain, sleet and snow.
Snow is expected in the region at this time of year but with last month being the warmest and one of the driest Mays since records began 140 years ago the cold snap has come as a shock to the system.
The snow is great for the Otago skifields but the wind chill is worrying for farmers and warnings of strong winds and 25 centimetres of snow down to low levels sent farmers rushing for their tractors.
"We're probably a bit worried about what could happen tomorrow so we're getting into it today and making sure everything's well fed," says Southland farmer Ken Lapthorne.
Head shepherd Richard Jordan says they prepare well ahead to
leave feed in sheltered paddocks and hay barns so stock can be put
into sheltered paddocks with feed when the cold hits.
A year ago the central South Island was plunged into darkness for three weeks when heavy snow wreaked havoc with powerlines.
Police and the Fire Service have reported few problems but a group of outdoor education students had to be picked up by helicopter when levels on the Fox River rose quickly.
MetService has issued a severe weather warning for parts of Southland and South Otago while Dunedin should see snow to 400 metres, then down to near sea level on Friday night.
But the polar blast has come a bit late for Mt Hutt and Coronet Peak who had hoped to open on Saturday. MetService says the bad weather is likely to last until the weekend.
Forecaster Leigh Matheson says it is definitely the start of winter. She says temperatures are getting cold with six degrees in Invercargill and four degrees at Stewart Island.
For up to date forecasts for your region visit the tvnz.co.nz weather page
Got any pictures of the wintery weather? Send them to ONE News via YOUR CAM.
For up to date forecasts for your region visit the tvnz.co.nz weather page
Got any pictures of the wintery weather? Send them to ONE News via YOUR CAM and we'll put them in our photogallery.
