An icy blast has hit the country, causing havoc in its wake as snow leaves roads and schools closed.
MetService has forecast snow to 200 metres in the South Island with especially heavy falls above 400 metres.
The severity of the forecast means a severe weather warning was put in place for Fiordland, Southland, Clutha and Otago overnight.
Newshub reporter Erin Speedy was out in the cold at Lake Tekapo and said drivers have been warned to look out for black ice on the roads.
At least six major State Highways are closed due to icy conditions and slips across both the North and South Islands.
Parents are being advised to check with their school or early childhood education centre to see if it is still open as the Ministry of Education will not know the final list of closures until after 10am.
Cardrona Alpine Resort is currently closed until winds in the area ease.
Residents of the northern parts of the country may be feeling smug about the South Island bearing the brunt of the weather, but their happiness will be short lived.
Auckland is in for an exceptionally cold week with overnight temperatures predicted to max out at 6degC.
It will certainly be worth getting an extra blanket for the bed on Wednesday and Friday night with overnight temperatures of 4degC and 3degC forecast.
Whangarei and Wellington won't be doing much better with overnight temperatures of 5 and 6degC throughout the week.
Showers are forecast across the country and there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms in Buller, west of Nelson, Horowhenua Kapiti Coast, Taranaki, west of Waitomo, Waikato and Auckland.
Hail and strong wind gusts of up to 110km/h may accompany the storms.
Newshub.
