MetService issued a heavy snow watch from 11am to 9pm tonight around Central Otago and already snow is falling and steadily thickening around the Maniototo

Predictions are snow lowering to 400 metres, with heavy falls possible above 500 metres where amounts may approach, or even exceed warning criteria in localised areas. Snowfall is expected to ease from the south during the afternoon and evening.

People driving around Queenstown and Central in the coming two days need to be ready for some changeable and snowy winter weather.

Mountain passes such as the Lindis Pass, the Crown Range Road, and Haast Pass all have road snowfall watches in place. check Road snowfall warnings

A chilly weeken for Central for with a forecast low temperature of 1 degrees C. PHOTO: MetService

Check the Central App Weather & Reports section for up to date information on roads and weather.

If you have anything you want to report or pictures for us to use, please forward to [email protected].

Picture: Sharon McKnight - Oturehua, Ida Valley - 4pm today

Omakau starts snowing around 1.30pm

Omakau Rugby Club around 3pm in the afternoon ' the game must go on' Picture: Scott Pollard