It’s cold and stormy across much of the lower South Island today as winds reach gale force in exposed places and cold air is blown in.

As of 11:30am a number of centres will still in the single digits including Timaru, Wanaka, Queenstown and Lumsden.

Invercargill has 11 degrees but a strong westerly.  Dunedin also has a strong westerly with gusts to 70km/h and 12 degrees.

WeatherWatch.co.nz believes the coldest air is now moving up the South Island.  Christchurch can expect to see conditions go downhill before they get any better.

Meanwhile the cooler weather will have more of an impact in the North Island tonight and tomorrow.