South Island conditions will improve this afternoon.

A southerly blast is set to leave Wellington and Christchurch reaching 8C or 9C.

Snow could fall to 200m in the South Island, disrupting travel.

South Island conditions will improve this afternoon.

Conditions will be colder than usual as a chilly southerly spreads across the country.

Incoming chill will be notable even by midwinter standards, MetService says.

Road snowfall warnings cover four key routes as snow levels drop.