A frosty Sunday morning has seen Southland and other parts of the country blanketed in snow.
Invercargill has been hit particularly hard, with flights in and out of Invercargill Airport cancelled due to weather conditions.
There have been multiple snow showers and more are expected over the course of the day. Photos show cars, roads and roofs under a thick layer of snow.
There's even snow on Oreti Beach, just outside the city.
Invercargill is currently sitting at a chilly 1C, although MetService says it feels like -4C and advises locals to rug up with four layers of clothing, including one windproof layer.
A MetService meteorologist told Newshub snow in Invercargill is "definitely not a regular occurrence". Records from between 1948 and 1980 show an average of five snow days per year for the city, and MetService says nowadays snow is probably even less frequent.
- Winter set to end with chilly Antarctic blast
- Wild, cold, windy weekend on the way
- Blast of strong winds, hail, snow to strike New Zealand
Invercargill police have urged motorists to avoid or delay travelling in Southland until the snow subsides. If driving is necessary, police advise driving to the conditions and using snow chains where required.
MetService has issued heavy snow watches for several different regions, including Taupo, Kahurangi National Park, Nelson Lakes, Fiordland and southern parts of central Otago.
A cold and unstable flow from the southwest is to blame for the late winter snow. It's also battered Auckland with strong gales, as well as Hawke's Bay, Tararua and Wairarapa.
Newshub.
