Move over Spring, Winter wants to stick around a bit longer

A cold blast has spread up the South Island, causing severe gales in Otago and Southland yesterday.

It's also set to bring snow down to 200 metres in Christchurch this evening.

Meanwhile, heavy rain and strong winds are forecast across the upper North Island, over the next two days.

WeatherWatch's Philip Duncan says it's going to be a chilly day for the South Island.

He says Gore will only reach a high of four degrees today.