The first real taste of winter is beginning to bite for many, as an icy-cold snap moves across the country.

A bitterly cold south-west flow over the country brought snow showers and freezing temperatures to many areas overnight, while strong winds and large swells continue to affect coastal areas.

Photo: Karen Lind.

MetService issued a severe weather watch for the Western Bay of Plenty yesterday with strong south-west gales predicted.

Meteorologist Emma Blades says looking ahead, prominent showery south-westerlies will gradually ease over the next few days as an area of high pressure builds over the country.

'Clear skies at night do mean that cold temperatures will continue, with several places forecast to fall below freezing over the next few nights,” says Emma.

Many in the lower South Island received at least a flurry of snow overnight while significant amounts accumulated in some places, such as Clarks Junction in Otago, where 25cm of snow was reported.

The level should gradually rise, although further snow is forecast for Banks Peninsula where a heavy warning remains in force.

Warnings are also in place for strong winds around coastal Otago and Banks Peninsula, where severe gales were expected overnight.

These strong winds have also kicked up significant swell, which should peak at heights of around seven metres along eastern coasts.

Tauranga is forecast for a week of fine spells with a high of 15 degrees, dropping to a chilly six overnight.

Whitianga has a similar forecast, while it may pay to keep an extra layer handy in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, which dropped to four degrees overnight.

Emma says towards the end of the week, the high pressure moves eastwards over New Zealand, allowing a northerly flow to build over the South Island on Friday ahead of an approaching front.

This front is likely to make its presence felt over the long weekend, with a spell of rain expected in the north and west of both islands.

'With an unsettled outlook for the Queen's Birthday Weekend, it might pay to pack a raincoat if you're heading away,” she adds.