Labour Weekend has begun with a cold blast for parts of the country.
A cold southerly is forecast to hit the south and east of the South Island - before moving on to the lower North Island.
MetService says showers were expected to become frequent and heavier in Southland and Otago on Sunday afternoon, with snow down to 300 metres.
The cold weather will reach the Central Plateau by around dawn on Sunday, bringing rain and snow which could affect the Desert Road.
MetService is warning farmers that conditions will be bleak for new-born animals in the open.
