Heavy snow fell throughout much of the night from Kaikoura down to Dunedin and also inland areas as the southerly blast continued into its third day in the south.

Varying reports of snow depths have come through this morning but appears to be ranging from 15cm to half a metre in places as the bleakest conditions of the event to date moved in and yet there appears more to come for some areas today, particularly this morning.

Christchurch saw snow return last evening and some heavy falls overnight has seen parts of the city covered in a thick blanket of snow.Reports vary from 15-40cm of snow citywide with potentially some further heavy falls off and on over the next 6-9 hours before an easing this afternoon.

WeatherWatch Analyst Richard Green says ” It’s been the most continuous snow so far for the city since this polar blast got underway here in Christchurch and it looks as if the snow will come and go again today but it looks as if it’s the last day of serious snow for the city”.

Motorists are advised to stay off the roads in the snowy hit region as the snow is making many roads treacherous and almost impassable.Power has remained for most people although power surges have been quite common.

Much of the North Island overnight didn’t receive as much in the way of the wintry episode, as most of the activity seemed to take place in the south.

Temperatures remain cold to bitterly cold over the country and winds have been strong and gusty in many areas from the southerly direction