Weather: It is snowing in North Southland

Some Southerners might be forgiven for thinking that a White Christmas awaits them when they wake up to the snow that falls on Friday morning.

Light snow is falling in parts of northern Southland, as temperatures plummeted overnight.

Snow falls on State Highway 6 between Lumsden and Kingston, on Gorge Hill between Te Anau and Mossburn and in the mountainous areas of the province.

There is a layer of snow on the Remarkables mountain range in Queenstown, and the snow has started to fall in Arrowtown.

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Police said there were no weather-related incidents.

The Metservice had predicted that the snow would fall at around 700m, but it had fallen 200m in some areas, affecting roads.

Service forecaster Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said snow showers could continue into Friday afternoon, but would be mostly on higher ground.

On Saturday, there may still be some snow at higher altitudes before sunrise, but most of the remaining showers inland should clear, with fine breaks developing, but some showers are still possible, he said.