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Metservice meteorologists warned tonight about bad weather following a cold snap crossing the South Island.
Metservice spokesman Bob McDavitt said southerly winds would turn rain to snow tomorrow as they blew across Southland, Otago and Canterbury, up to Marlborough.
Snow down to low levels was likely, with heavy dumps above 300 metres expected in Otago and Canterbury, he said.
Mr McDavitt predicted harsh frosts in the wind's wake on Wednesday and Thursday.
"This front is about to bring us a temporary swing back to mid-winter conditions.
"Traffic across alpine roads is likely to be disrupted by snow and freezing wet windy conditions may last long enough to be stressful to livestock and anyone caught out in the open," Mr McDavitt said.
The winds would weaken as they crossed Cook Strait to the North Island on Wednesday, he said.
- NZPA