The Metservice is warning of heavy snow in parts of the South Island this morning.
It says up to 10 centimetres of snow is likely to fall at altitudes of above 300 metres, in the five hours till noon. It says the eastern hills of Southland, and South Otago from the Catlins to the Otago peninsula are likely to be affected.
Elsewhere in Southland, snow will be down to 200 metres. Up to 10 centimetres of snow is also likely in the Canterbury foothills and Banks Peninsula down to 400 metres.
Canterbury's major rivers are rising following heavy rain in the Southern Alps.
The regional engineer for Environment Canterbury, Bob Reid, says rivers with alpine catchments such as the Rakaia, Waimakariri, Hurunui and Waiau are rising on Sunday morning.
He says 180 millimetres of rain fell at Arthurs Pass yesterday and he is warning river bed users to be prepared for rapidly rising water levels.
Meanwhile heavy rain warnings have been lifted for Buller, North West Nelson and the Tararua Ranges.
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