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Parts of Otago and Southland were shivering under a blanket of frozen snow on Tuesday after a two-day icy blast made roads treacherous and forced farmers to part with precious feed reserves.
Though winter officially starts next week there is little doubt it has already reached the far south.
Higher country in Southland and South Otago took the brunt of Tuesday's blizzard-like conditions.
Many small country schools either shut their doors for the day or closed early.
"We just feel that the roads have got too dangerous for them to risk waiting to the end of the day," says Kaiwera School Principal Dianne Smillie
While major highways remained open, back country roads took a hammering.
Ice and snow contributed to several accidents, including one north of Balclutha sent four people to hospital.
The weather tested the condition of stock still recovering from the recent drought.
While many farmers will welcome the moisture the snow brings, they know if it stays on the ground too long it will cool down the soil and put an end to late autumn grass growth.
Many farmers were forced to feed out supplies they know will be hard to replace.
With freezing conditions expected on Tuesday night, motorists are being warned to take extreme care.
Missing boy found
Searchers have found alive a child lost in freezing weather in South Otago since early Tuesday afternoon.
They say the three-and-a-half year old went missing from Circle Hill, just out of Milton in snowing, icy conditions.
Senior Sergeant Alistair Dickie from the Milton police says the child is alive and well and "perky".
He is now being medically checked. He says the child was wearing light clothing and no shoes - despite the snow.
Dickie says the boy was hiding in a bush 1.5 km from home and popped out after watching searchers move closer.
