"There is a lot going on at the moment with the low deepening to the east of the country affecting Hawke's Bay for the next few days."
In the 30 hours from noon yesterday to 6pm today 20cm to 30cm of snow was expected to fall above 600m and 10cm was expected down to 400m. The higher parts of the region above 800m could see up to 50cm of snow.
This southerly blast forced the Taihape Rd to close from lunchtime and the New Zealand Transport Agency issued an area warning for the Napier-Taupo Rd, advising people to take extra care.
One family, who had just moved to Napier from the Gold Coast, were driving through Eskdale when the snow started to fall.
Lynaire Maryjane Gattsche said it made for an exciting car ride, because it was the first time her two sons had seen snow.
"We are from Australia so we don't get this sort of weather and it certainly made the trip to Rotorua better for the kids."
Mrs Gattsche said as they went further into the ranges the snow turned to slushy rain, making for tough driving conditions.
"It was very slippery and we couldn't see out of our front window for a bit."
Hawke's Bay Civil Defence's Ian Macdonald advised people to check NZTA and the weather forecast before travelling during the next few days with wintry conditions forecast to linger.
Mr Macdonald said if people do travel they should be prepared with food, water, clothing and a charged cellphone.
To the south of Hawke's Bay Norsewood farmer Lyn McConchie said it was very cold with a low of -3C yesterday morning.
"I watched my cat get up and protrude her nose two inches outside before instantly running back to the fire, so I used that as my warning."
Napier and Hastings recorded a high of 8C yesterday with most of the day reaching just 6C. Today was expected to reach 11C for Hastings and Napier.
Unfortunately for the Bay Mr Griffin said the worst was not yet over with heavy rain, strong southerly winds and more snow expected today and tomorrow.
"Thursday will see snow rising to 700m, however the rain that becomes scattered during the day will become widespread again at night."
On Friday evening the southerly should start to ease and rain should ease to showers heading into Saturday.
Mr Griffin said the pick of the week was Sunday, forecast to be fine with sunny spells and a high of 12C.