Farmers in southern areas where lambing has started hope that the cold conditions will not last too long.
A south-westerly front brought driving wind and rain to much of the South Island and lower North Island on Monday with snow down to a few hundred metres in some places.
Federated Farmers adverse events spokesman David Rose, who farms at Northope in Southland, says it's nothing like the severe snow storm that took a heavy toll on lambs, ewes and calves a year ago.
But he says the cold, wet conditions are still a big challenge for lambing and will cause some losses.
Farmers are hoping the weather will lift on Tuesday as forecast.
