Cold and wet conditions are heading north this morning as a front passes over the South Island, bringing some much needed rain to a few inland eastern areas.

After several weeks of relatively sunny and warm conditions, temperatures this morning are taking a dive in parts of Canterbury, Otago and Southland. After a mild start to the day, Christchurch is just seeing the southerly move in which make affect the crowd numbers at the Ellerslie Flower Show.

Further south the southerly is starting to gain strength and there is the possibility of some heavy rain with an outside chance of thunder. Inland areas of Southland are just nudging 10 degrees and that cold air is expected to advance north throughout the day.