Snow has already started falling in the central North Island, ahead of forecasted predictions.
Photos sent to SunLive from Colin Baker, owner and operator of Ruapehu Scenic Shuttles, shows the ski fields at Whakapapa at 7am (see photo below) and then again at 10am (see photo above).
The MetService has issued a snowfall warning for the Desert Road area.
From 3pm today until 3am tomorrow, the weather organisation is forecasting rain to turn to snow.
"Expect about 25 to 35cm of snow to accumulate on the road."
Heavy rain is also being forecast for the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel areas.
"A low pressure system is forecast to move east-southeast across northern New Zealand today and Tuesday morning, bringing a period of heavy rain to northern and eastern areas and strong to gale force winds to many parts of the North Island," says a post on the MetService website.
"In addition, rain is expected to turn to snow above 300 metres about southern and eastern parts of the North Island, and heavy snow is forecast for higher parts of Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, southern Taupo and Taihape.
"People are advised to keep up to date with forecasts in case any changes are made or more areas are added."
Road Snowfall Warning
Area: Napier-Taupo Road (SH5)
Period: 10hrs from 6pm Mon, 5 Sep - 4am Tue, 6 Sep
Forecast: Rain is expected to turn to snow this evening. Expect 15 to 20 cm of snow to accumulate on the road above 600 metres with lesser amounts lower down.
Area: Desert Road (SH1)
Period: 12hrs from 3pm Mon, 5 Sep - 3am Tue, 6 Sep
Forecast: Rain is expected to turn to snow this afternoon. Expect 25 to 35 cm of snow to accumulate on the road.
Area: Remutaka Hill Road (SH2)
Period: 10hrs from 9pm Mon, 5 Sep - 7am Tue, 6 Sep
Forecast: Snow showers are expected above 400 metres tonight and Tuesday morning, and up to 1 cm of snow may accumulate on the road at times.
Area: Lewis Pass (SH7)
Period: 12hrs from 6pm Mon, 5 Sep - 6am Tue, 6 Sep
Forecast: Snow showers are expected to develop towards evening. Expect 1 to 3 cm of snow to accumulate on the road.
Area: Porters Pass (SH73)
Period: 13hrs from 4pm Mon, 5 Sep - 5am Tue, 6 Sep
Forecast: Snow showers are expected to develop this afternoon. Expect 4 to 8 cm of snow to accumulate on the road.
Area: Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1)
Period: 11hrs from 10am - 9pm Mon, 5 Sep
Forecast: Occasional snow showers, and 1 to 2 cm of snow may accumulate on the road above 100 metres at times.
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