Extremely cold southerlies are sweeping the nation delivering rain, hail, sleet, snow and blizzards with temperatures nearing daytime record lows combined with windchill.

Further snow has swept into the south yet again in another wave of wintry air and parts of the North Island are continuing to see wintry conditions with snow to very low levels.

“Some of the conditions here in Canterbury are just treacherous. It’s gone up a notch inside the last hour here and in some cases it’s a blizzard with driving snow and howling winds” says Weather Analyst Richard Green.” Some of the snow is quite fin in some cases and yet very thick in others. It’s likely to come and go much of the days” says Richard Green.

Aucklanders endured a stormy night with high winds and hail reported in many areas and this morning temperatures remain cold and wintry.

Police advise to only travel if necessary in some regions and Christchurch drivers are being advised to stay home unless absolutely necessary. Snow is now between 10-20cm on the ground and more falling.

“It’d different from our snowfall in July but the wind is causing drifting” says Richard Green. “It’s definitely colder and more miserable for those who have to brave the outdoors” he says.

WeatherWatch maintains that this freezing air is quite long lasting especially for those exposed to the southerly and once the clearance comes through, some very hard frosts are expected in many areas.