A cold blast is crossing New Zealand today thanks to a deep low near the South Island.

Across today southerlies will work their way northwards and heavy showers, some with hail, will pepper some regions.

North Island:
Windy at times with heavy showers in the west and south. Winds from the SW turning more southerly in the lower North Island. Some snow is possible on the Desert Road.  Eastern areas may well be quite sunny today, but chance of a shower spreading over the ranges from the west.
Highs: 6 to 15

South Island.
Windy cold south to south west winds, snow down to a few hundred metres affecting some alpine highways. Rain showers and hail showers elsewhere. Drying out in many places by evening. Nelson and Marlborough may be fairly dry all day, milder and sunnier
Highs: 5 to 14

– WeatherWatch.co.nz