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Snow on the Desert Road - Source: ONE News -
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A snowy blast across New Zealand is ushering in the first day of winter.
Snowfall was down to near sea level from Southland to Kaikoura Coast and at unusually low levels in the North Island.
It issued weather warnings of road snowfall for both the South and North Islands.
Snow was expected to fall on the Desert Road on Sunday afternoon and evening, with about 10-20cm accumulating on the road.
On the Rimutaka Hill Road 10-15cm was expected to accumulate on the road on Sunday evening.
Police were warning motorists to drive to the conditions as heavy hail showers hit the Wellington region.
In the South Island on the Lewis Pass, Arthurs Pass, and Porters Pass about 5cm of snow may accumulate on the roads, though snow showers were expected to clear Sunday evening.
Motorists should check road conditions before travelling and plan for possible closures, the MetService says.
Strong southerly blasts also swept up the country on Sunday.
Farmers should shelter vulnerable livestock as the windchill was likely to be severe.
Nine degrees celsius was the high in Wellington today, 14degC in Auckland, 5degC in Christchurch and 7degC in Dunedin.
Conditions are expected to ease in the South this evening and the North on Monday morning.
For the latest forecast for your area check out our weather page.
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