MetService warns motorists of snow on roads

MetService is warning motorists to be on alert for snow on the roads Tuesday morning, as it is expected to fall to ground level in Canterbury and Otago.

Chilly temperatures are being felt across the country, with a high of 7 degrees in Christchurch and a high of 2 degrees in Mount Cook.

In the North Island, highs were sitting in the low teens.

MetService meteorologist Ethan Walton-Jones said snow would be falling across the country.

"In Otago and Canterbury, we're expecting flakes falling right down into the town levels, and then further north, all the way up as far as Gisborne, we'll have a fresh frosting of snow up on the hills."

MetService had snow warnings in place for several roads, he said.

"For all the Crown Range Road, the Dunedin - Waitati Highway, Porters Pass, Lewis Pass and the Remutaka Hill Road. But we're also expecting more of the road snowfall."

Meanwhile, all ferry sailings in the Cook Strait for Tuesday had been cancelled due to forecast large swells.

"We're expecting southerly combined waves getting up into the Wairarapa to reach 6 metres Tuesday morning, and then easing below what we consider a warning early on Wednesday morning," Walton-Jones said.