Freezing temperatures, snow and biting southerlies are on the way. Here's what you need to know.
Photo: NZTA
Forecast
A cold front sweeping up the South Island on Tuesday will bring snow to Southland, Fiordland, Otago, Canterbury and Marlborough. In the far south it may be as low as 100-200m and could fall to 200-300m in Canterbury.
MetService issued warning of gales and rough seas in Cook Strait on Tuesday.
Southeast gales are expected in north Canterbury, Marlborough, Nelson, Wellington, Horowhenua and Kapiti Coast from Wednesday. And in the North Island, Taihape and the Hawke's Bay ranges will get snow.
Check the latest severe weather information here
Ferries
Interislander ferry sailings have been cancelled from Wednesday night, due to the predicted 5-7m swells in Cook Strait on Thursday.
Roads
Snow and ice warnings are in place for many state highways in the South Island. For full details on road conditions and closures go to NZTA's website.
State Highways: Warnings and Closures
SH85 Becks to Wedderburn - closed by snow
SH6 Arrow Junction to Kingston - snow and ice, caution advised
SH6A Frankton to Queenstown - ice - road now cleared
SH85 Palmerston to Kyeburn - black ice, caution
SH8 Omarama to Tarras - snow and ice, caution
SH80 Aoraki Mount Cook National Park to Ben Ohau - snow and ice, caution advised
SH82 Kurow to Waimate - ice, caution
SH6 Ross to Haast Pass - icy conditions, slow down.
SH8 Clarksville To Raes Junction - ice, caution
SH90 Raes Junction to Mcnab - ice, caution
SH1 Palmerston to Balclutha - ice, caution
SH87 Kyeburn to Mosgiel - black ice, caution
SH85 Palmerston to Kyeburn - black ice, caution
SH94 Te Anau to Milford - road reopened, but caution advised due to icy conditions - no towing
Crown Range Road: snow falling, chains needed
MetService Road Snowfall Warnings
Arthurs Pass (SH73) - Snow is likely to affect the road from around the middle of Tuesday until Tuesday night.
Lewis Pass (SH7) - Snow is expected to affect the road from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday morning.
Porters Pass (SH73) - Snow from Tuesday afternoon to Thursday. About 15 to 20cm could accumulate near the summit.
Lindis Pass (SH8) - Periods of snow are forecast from Tuesday morning until Thursday morning. Snow is not expected to be continuous, but 3-5cm of snow could settle on the road from time to time.
Haast Pass (SH6) - Snow could affect higher parts of the road Tuesday afternoon.
Milford Rd (SH94) - Snow is forecast to briefly affect the road on Tuesday morning.
Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1) - Snow showers could affect the summit from Tuesday afternoon to Thursday morning.
Flights
Flights into and out of Queenstown Airport were delayed on Tuesday morning because of ice on the runway.
Separately, fog rolled into Wellington, affecting about half a dozen flights.
Fog over Wellington on Tuesday morning Photo: Twitter / @WgtnCC
Wellington Airport said the fog had dispersed but there might still be delays.
A spokesperson advised passengers to keep an eye on the airport's website and check with their airline on their flight status.
