With snow in Christchurch this morning, temperatures have dropped across the country.

A chilly storm is spreading across the country and several highways are closed.

Residents of Christchurch are being blanketed in showers, cars and backyards.

Much of the country woke up to frigid temperatures this morning, with the coldest part of the North Island being Taupo at 0C and Twizel in the South Island dropping to -5C.

Several roads across the country were closed due to snow.

State Highway 5 and Desert Road between Taupo and Napier are closed.

Snow has closed State Road 1 between Dunedin and Waitati.

State Highway 87 between Middlemarch and Outram and State Highway 85 between Kyeburn and Dunback are also closed.

Some MetService weather watches still work.

A strong wind warning will be in place for areas east of the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne north of Ruatoria and southeast of Taupo until 8am this morning.

The next update of MetService will be at 10AM.

Overnight snow blanketed Hanmer Springs, Port Hill and as far as New Brighton Beach.

Snow also covered much of the mountainous interior of Otago and fell on the mountainous suburbs of Dunedin, with snowflakes in the central city.

Niwa reports that cold weather is starting in Antarctica, with high altitudes possibly even dropping below -10°C.

Motorists in Dunedin have also been told not to travel in the city’s mountainous suburbs unless absolutely necessary, as icy conditions make driving dangerous.

A MetService spokesman said cold winter storms were making their way across the South Island and the next few days felt like a return to winter, even though it was technically spring.

“I hope people haven’t put away their winter cardigans.”

Being able to make snow angels in an octagon was never really possible, but for a short while, Dunedin CBD staff left the office with hope yesterday afternoon when the snow started to fall to sea level.

Sadly, as predicted, it failed to settle, with hailstones settling later in the evening. A powerful hailstorm has hit Dunedin, leaving a white coating.

Minor crashes and traffic incidents were reported around the city, with cars stranded on Stuart St and SH 1 between Leith Valley and Waitai, north of Dunedin, which closed at around 8.45pm.

Drivers reported heavy traffic on the Southern Motorway around 9pm.

Otago Regional Council also suspended all bus services in Dunedin around 9pm due to dangerous driving conditions.

MetService meteorologist John Law said a stream of cold air was blowing north across the South Island, turning sporadic showers into snow and hail, bringing “clearly cold sensations” to the South Island and Otago.

He said that while the worst of the weather today would disappear sharply in the east, this week would still be cooler than recent temperatures in the region.

Federated Farmers Southland chairman and Riversdale farmer Chris Dillon said he had started lambing and yesterday’s snow killed many lambs.
“We went through snow showers fairly frequently – the snow didn’t fall, but it did cause quite a few casualties during the night.

“I haven’t figured out the loss percentage yet, but it’s already obvious.

“It happens from time to time. Hopefully it’s just a brief explosion and doesn’t last too long.”

Otago Commonwealth Farmers Federation president and Lawrence farmer Mark Patterson said most farmers in his area wouldn’t start lambing for a few more weeks, so yesterday’s light snowfall and harsh temperatures had not caused what he knew was any casualties.

Cold weather had long been forecast, and farmers had prepared to put their stocks in more sheltered areas, he said.

With the exception of occasional showers, the rest of the week is expected to be mostly sunny as a ridge of high pressure forms over southern and central New Zealand.

But long-term forecasts suggest more snow is likely early next week.

– Additional report John Lewis ODT