By 3 News online staff
Heavy snow has reportedly closed the Desert Road and snow is now falling in Christchurch as this spring cold snap drifts north.
WeatherWatch tweeted that snow had closed State Highway 1 on the Desert Road, and heavy snow was falling on the Mt Ruapehu ski fields this evening.
Roadconditions.co.nz reports the closure extends between Rangipo and Waiouru along State Highway 1.
WeatherWatch says the temperature in Christchurch tonight is 2C and there have been reports it is already snowing there.
There have also been reports of snow falling in the hills around Wellington this afternoon.
Metservice says in the central North Island from Taihape to the Kaweka Range of Hawkes Bay to northern Manawatu, snow could fall to 20cm above 800m over night and tomorrow morning.
Hail is forecast for Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and other main centres over night, WeatherWatch says.
3 News