Snow has fallen across the South Island overnight – but as expected it’s melted in most low level areas.  Snow fell in Dunedin and Christchurch for a brief time too.

Inland and heavier falls have been reported – with a number of farmers posting photos on social media of farms covered in white snow. Most seem optimisitic it isn’t a major concern – but plenty more cold is on the way this weekend.

The coldest of the polar air moves in today – you can see it clearly in the animated wind map on the WeatherWatch.co.nz homepage, showing the southeries coming from Antarctica.

More low level, potentially sea level, flurries are possible within the next 24 hours in Southland, Otago and Canterbury.

Sunday is another cold day but the worst of the polar blast will ease across the day in the south and snow showers will clear and be more higher up focused.

Heavy hail showers have been reported in Palmerston North and Auckland this morning and heavy snow has fallen on Mt Ruapehu.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz