Temperatures in the Bay plummeted overnight after snow fell in both the Eastern and Western Bay of Plenty.

Snow warnings remain in place for the hill country between Gisborne and Wairoa, with snow showers also expected on the Desert Road through to Friday morning.

Snow falling on the Desert Road earlier this week. Photo: Civil Defence Taupo Facebook.

A cold southerly flow covering the country is spreading wintry showers over most eastern parts of the country, reports the MetService.

'The heavier, more frequent showers are expected about northern Hawke's Bay and southern parts of Gisborne from early Thursday to Friday morning.

'Snow is expected to 200 metres, with significant accumulations above 400 metres, before the snow level slowly rises during Friday morning.”

The largest amounts of snow are expected about the hill country between Gisborne City and Wairoa, where 30 to 50cm of snow may accumulate above 400 metres.

People in the area are advised that heavy snow can cause major disruption to traffic and blizzard conditions when combined with bitterly cold southery winds. Back in the Bay of Plenty, people are being advised to drive carefully with police expecting icy conditions on the roads.

At 6.50am, Tauranga Police were called to a two car crash on the corner of State Highway 29 and Pyes Pa Road.

There are no reports of injuries and police are working to clear the scene so traffic flow can return to normal.