Rain and snow for South Island

File photo / Paul Estcourt

Rain and even snow is in store for parts of the South Island today as a cold front moves in, MetService is forecasting.

The front will cross over the South Island this morning and afternoon and will be followed by cold southerlies and a period of rain.

MetService said rain was likely to turn to snow above 600 to 700 metres in Southland and Otago for a time this morning, to similar levels in Canterbury this afternoon and to similar levels in Marlborough this evening.

Conditions should ease to a few showers in Southland and Otago this afternoon. In Canterbury and Marlborough, the rain is expected to ease overnight, but may not completely clear until Saturday afternoon.

Accumulations of 5 to 10cm of snow are possible in all these areas above 700 to 800 metres.

Farmers should note that the combination of snow or cold rain, along with very cold southerly winds, are likely to put stress on vulnerable stock.

Also, travellers in these regions are advised snow is likely to affect higher roads and mountain passes, with 1-2cm expected to accumulate on Lindis Pass above 600m this afternoon and 1-2cm near the summit of Porters Pass this evening.

- NZHERALD STAFF