This afternoon sees more of what we saw earlier today but in places the winds have increased, hail has turned up even more than before and buckets of snow are falling across some areas.

The brief but robust southerly has electricity demand very high, motorists being cautious on roads and snowmen popping up.

For the rest of the day it’s a case of wild, wintry weather for two thirds of the country and temperatures 5-10 degrees below normal in many regions.

A tornado of some description had struck Port Waikato which saw roofing iron being tossed about earlier today.

Reports have come in that Alexandra is having one of the heaviest falls in years and Kingston, Otago has now exceeded 30cm.

Christchurch has seen the odd snow shower move in from Banks Peninsula and down the Port Hills. it’s likely these will increase for a time.
“It’s taking its time to move in but the signs are there” says weather analyst Richard Green.”This afternoon and evening sees snow falling a little more for the city possibly and icy winds will make it very unpleasant”.

Wellington has had a bit of a ride today with wind and wet conditions but tonight the snow levels should be at their lowest as the southerly keeps roaring in.

Auckland should see conditions ease by this evening but wintry showers and thunder have peppered parts of the city.Winds have also been very blustery in places.

Dunedin has seen snow showers come and go and should starting easing later this afternoon but temperatures are remaining extremely cold in the wind.

This time tomorrow much of the country should have seen a considerable easing and hopefully thawing but eastern parts of the North Island will be the last place to see showers clear.

Big frosts are possible across much of New Zealand tomorrow night.

-WeatherWatch