North Islanders are just making it into double digits today, South Islanders are mostly in single digits – and the hail, heavy showers and squalls keep on coming in as a polar snap heads north.

Snow may affect the Desert Road, State Highway One, in Central Plateau today and overnight as the final surge of wintry air moves in.

“Snow may fall to 700 metres and may become heavy for at time around Central Plateau later today and overnight” says weather analyst Aaron Wilkinson.

“In the South Island snow will fall to 500 metres with flurries dropping to 300 metres Thursday night for a time in Southland and Otago”.

Snow will be welcome my skiers and boarders across both islands – but motorists may have a few issues over Thursday and Friday through alpine areas.

Temperatures across the country will remain low for the next 48 hours but slightly warmer weather returns this weekend – and next week we’re back to sub-tropical, mild, winds says WeatherWatch.co.nz.

The current cold snap ends on Saturday.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz