Inland Otago should brace itself for the next heavy snowfalls, but more is on the way across the region.

While inland areas are likely to bear the brunt of snowfalls today, forecasters think a repeat of yesterday's wintry coastal scene is probable tonight.

The Met Service said inland Otago and inland Southland might receive as much as 15cm-20cm of snow down to 200m today. It is forecast to arrive in the 24-30 hours from about 2am today, probably setting in this morning before turning to snow showers in the afternoon.

For Dunedin and coastal areas, westerly winds would mean only gentle snow showers this morning, Met Service weather reader Bob McDavitt said. But a repeat of yesterday's snowfalls and near-freezing temperatures is likely late today and tomorrow, he said.

weather pattern is being caused by a large, deep, low-pressure system allowing "further waves of polar chilled air" to move from the Antarctic ice shelf on to southern New Zealand!

The weather pattern is being caused by a large, deep, low-pressure system south of the Chatham Islands, in tandem with a stalled high-pressure system over parts of Australia. That combination of events is allowing "further waves of polar chilled air" to move from the Antarctic ice shelf on to southern New Zealand, Mr McDavitt said.

Blue Skies forecaster Angeline Frayle said 5cm-10cm of snow was expected above 300m, with 3cm-5cm down to about 200m overnight. While the weekend would remain chilly, conditions should warm up next week, she said.

South Otago again had the worst of the weather yesterday, with some roads and schools closed. Dunedin residents woke to the first snowfall of the year, deemed to be the heaviest May snow in 13 years.

In the Clutha district, up to 30cm of snow fell in some areas, closing most schools and all district roads were open only to four-wheel-drive vehicles.

In Queenstown, 2cm of snow fell in parts of the Wakatipu basin, with an overnight frost making road conditions slippery. Central Otago got off lightly and North Otago missed the snow altogether, as did the Waitaki Valley and Mackenzie Basin. There was up to 8cm of snow in South Westland, at Haast, but only a light dusting around Wanaka.

All state highways in the district were open late last night, although some Clutha District Council roads, and Three Mile Hill Rd and Cowan Rd in Dunedin were closed because of ice.

The Automobile Association and police warn motorists to take extreme care on all coastal roads. Despite snow and icy conditions, no major car accidents were reported in the South.

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