A chilly polar blast is set to hit the country after an unusually warm week.

Cold southerlies could bring snow to low levels - 400-500m - in the South Island on Monday and Tuesday.

MetService forecaster John Law told Morning Report temperatures would return to normal winter levels.

"We're not out of winter just yet, we may be lulled into a false sense of security with some of those high temperatures we'll see over the next couple of days."

For some, the coming days may start to feel like a break from winter

But hold on! A weather system next week brings colder temps and even a chance of snow

It’s still early days, so keep an eye on the outlook at https://t.co/ePtVj8uyUZ pic.twitter.com/K9DxLb2J7L

— MetService (@MetService) July 24, 2024

Anyone planning to travel around the mountain passes in the South Island next week should watch the forecast, Law says.

By the middle of next week there may be some snow in the central North Island as well, he says.

"Definitely the time of the year to take extra care and extra time on the roads."

-RNZ.