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Snow on the Kaimai Ranges overnight is heralding a couple of cold days for the city as southerly winds bring chilly temperatures straight off the Central Plateau.

State Highway 1 over the Desert Road re-opened at 5.30am today after being closed overnight due to snow.

A view of the Kaimai Ranges today taken from Matamata. Photo: Karen Lind.

Snow on the Kaimai Ranges this morning. Photo; Tracy Hardy

A dusting of snow blankets the Kaimai Ranges. Photo: Karen McCabe.

NZ Transport Agency warns that winter driving conditions prevail and drivers are urged to take extra care.

Meanwhile overnight rain in Tauranga means there is no ice on local roads, but snow on the Kaimai Rangs this morning means there could be ice higher up on State Highway 29.

Metservice meteorologist John Low says more snow is unlikely because of the way the wind is coming across.

'I think it's actually looking like a pretty decent day and most of the Kaimais are looking pretty dry,” says John.

'Nice and clear, and cold and frosty. I think all the showers today will stay further towards the north and south.

'You actually have a nice pleasant day in the Bay of Plenty. The Desert Road though is one that I think we need to watch out for, particularly for the Taihape end, the way the wind is coming from the south pushing up towards the southern end of the central plateau.

'The Bay of plenty has that nice protection. The Kaimais to the west of you, the Central Plateau to the south, and the Raukumaras to the east. You get that nice kind of protection anyway.”

Most of today is looking pretty good and pretty dry and pretty fine, with clear skies and a chilly night tonight, says John.

Tonight we are looking at a minimum of three degrees Celsius in Tauranga. Tauranga Airport last night got down to 3.8C

For the Desert Road, the Metservice is forecasting a few snow showers this morning, becoming more frequent this afternoon.

Drivers are warned to expect 1 – 2cm of snow this morning but 3-6cm this afternoon and a further 3-6cm this evening. The showers should ease overnight Tuesday but 1-2cm could accumulate near the summit.

Heading to the snow? Got weather related photos? Send them to us at newsroom@thesun.co.nz