The top of Southland is getting a taste of a white Christmas as snow blankets certain areas on Friday.
Photos posted on Facebook show the small town of Garston covered in snow. It is only 10°C in the small settlement today but Metservice warns it feels more like 7°C.
Metservice meteorologist Tahlia Crabtree said higher alpine areas in that region are expected to get light snowfall for the rest of the day.
"We are forecasting a dusting of snow into the evening."
She said that while it is "unseasonable" for it to snow in December, it's not unheard of.
"It is unseasonable but given New Zealand's climate we do get snow during summer."
But it's not looking like the snow will last. Crabtree said Garston looks set to have a "relatively settled" lead up to Christmas.
"It's hard to say if there will be another very cold event before Christmas but it's looking like the weather is going to remain settled."
Photos of the snowfall were posted on the South Proud NZ Facebook page with the caption: "Garston having a bit of a snow day today! So much for Summer huh?"
People were delighted by the rare snow with many joking it was reflective of summer in New Zealand.
Others were excited at the idea of a snowy Christmas.
"It looks good, maybe a white Xmas coming up??" one person questioned.
The Southland region is rainy and cloudy today with heavy rain in the evening and strong southwesterlies, according to Metservice.
