A strong southerly is this morning working its way northward bringing gales to Wellington, snow to the Desert Road and hail to Auckland.

In the past few minutes the Desert Road has re-opened however WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters believe the snow will remain “off and on” this afternoon and evening with further road closures “quite possible”.  A spokeswoman at Shell Waiouru says conditions feel as though it may snow in Waiouru later today.

Dunedin Weather Watch reporter Callum Procter said snow was still falling on Dunedin’s hill suburbs this morning while further north weather analyst Richard Green says there are reports of sleet and snow to low levels around Christchurch.

“It’s sunny and dry inland though – this system is really hugging the coast” says Mr Green.

Christchurch has a southerly gusting to around 70km/h and just 3 degrees downtown.  Dunedin has 4.

WeatherWatch.co.nz reports that most places in the South Island are currently below 4 degrees.

In the North Island and southerly gales gusting to 100km/h are blasting Wellington this hour and reports of hail are coming in from west and central Auckland.

It’s cold in Auckland this hour with just 9 degrees at the airport but a little warmer with 12 downtown.

What are weather conditions like where you are?    Post a comment below and let us know!