Rain and wind overnight saw some regions of the South Island cop quite a pasting.

Southerlies up to 90 kph buffeted the Kaikoura Coast throughout the night with rain setting in and the temperatures took a dive with the arrival of the polar visitor and made conditions feel miserable.

South Island Weather Analyst Richard Green said Christchurch had gusts around gale force from the south with rain moving in last night.

Canterbury, Otago and Southland also had snow further inland which had been a timely boost for some skifields with more expected, although some alpine passes were experiencing big falls and chains would become a necessity for travellers.

Conditions were expected to remain fairly similar throughout the day with temperatures remaining in mid single figures for many in the south and east but for West Coasters, a different story was expected with plenty of sunshine on the menu.

The cold southerly is expected to hang over the mainland for several days with showery conditions east of the divide but more sunny conditions out west.