Motorists have been warned to be cautious on the Desert Rd today as snow has accumulated on the highway.

The road was still open this morning, but forecasters said between 3cm and 5cm more snow was expected to fall on the highway before midday.

The New Zealand Transport Agency had issued a warning to motorists to take extra care on the road this morning. 

The cold snap brought cool temperatures to the North Island this morning. 

Auckland was sitting around 10C this morning while Hamilton and Wellington woke to temperatures around 8C. 

WeatherWatch warned the west coast of the North Island could experience heavy showers with thunderstorms and hail this morning that would clear by afternoon.

The East Cape, Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay would experience showers today with an occasional heavy fall.

The South Island woke to a day of sunny spells, that would turn to showers in the afternoon and evening about inland hills and ranges, WeatherWatch said.

For Nelson and Buller it was looking rough around the ranges, with the chance of heavy rain, thunderstorms and hail, WeatherWatch said. 

Saturday would be mainly fine for most of the country.

– NZ Herald/NZME