An elm tree covered in snow in the Songbird Gardens in the Pohangina Valley, Manawatu.

Hamish Grigg with sheep dogs. Snow at Tempello farm, half-way up hills at the end of Fairhall Valley, Marlborough.

Kilbirnie in Wellington is seeing its share of the white stuff.

Oliver and Mitchell show off their snowman in Johnsonville, Wellington.

This pair try to shelter from the snow underneath an umbrella

Looking east over Lower Hutt towards Wainuiomata and the Rimutaka ranges at about 7am on Monday morning from Tirohanga Rd.

A thick coating of snow remains on the ground in Broadmeadows - including dog tracks.

Looking out from Jaunpur Crescent from Broadmeadows at 9:30 on Monday.

Jeremy Flett saw this morning's snow as a good excuse to crack out the snowboard

Olivia Stevens wraps up warm to brave the snow in Broadmeadows.

Steve Anker from Inglewood, Taranaki sent this photo in.

This young Cantab knows trampolines are far more excitng when they are covered in snow.

Jim Matthews' dog Mica encountered snow for the first time this morning in Masterston

This pic was taken by Anne Knight in Bombay of her dog covered in snow this morning.

Snow in Canterbury. Clinch family of Diamond Harbour building an igloo.

Waiariki Polytechnic Taupo carpentry students used their skills to build a sled and try out a new snow run near Mapara Road, Taupo. Pictured (from left) Lane Bennet (sitting), John Wall, Luke Mitai and Jeremy Bryce (tutor).

Cooper McNeill gets his first snow experience at Mt Stewart, Fielding.

Kerry and Dave photographed this chicken in Normandale, Lower Hutt.

A cow munches away in a white field while the snow falls.

Monica Murray, 8, of Whitby, playing in the snow on Sunday night.

The Packman family of Inglewood made use of the snow by making figures for each family member. From left they are (in person) Mackenzie, 1, Mike, Aria, 2, Jess, Alex, 3 months and Riley, 4.

Eleanor Currier poses for a photo in the snow in Elsdon, Porirua.

From left, Ella Clarke, Caitlin Clarke, Jessie Williams, Lucy Clarke, Ollie Williams and Timmy Williams enjoy the snow on Sunday.

The dadffodils are usually a symbol that spring has arrived. The flowers in bloom already at Egmont Village School got a frosty fright.

Egmont Village School pupils, from left, Mason Keightley-Trigg, Shanika Beard, Olivia Keightley-Trigg and Lukah Gibb make a snow man from the fallen powder.

An igloo built by Aaron and Jared in New Brighton, Christchurch.

Anjali Gupta with a snow man she made on Ashton Fitchett Dr in Brooklyn.

Staff of Victoria University of Wellington in Kelburn.

A snowman built on Halswater Drive, Churton Park by Jono and Kirsty Vautier.

Mckayla, Tyrell, Mako and Titan have enjoyed snow only for the second time.

Photograph from the Atkins family, who live on the slopes of Mt Pirongia.

Hundreds of people face another freezing night without power as a polar blast continues to grip the country with more heavy snow due overnight.

The severe weather has also prompted police to close roads around the Wellington region, stranding many commuters.

Road closures include the Rimutaka Hill Road, Wainuiomata Hill Road, Paekakariki Hill Road, State Highway 58 (Haywards) between State Highway 2 to Moonshine Road and Blue Mountains Road in Upper Hutt.

1 of 35 WILLIAM BARNES Pilot William Barnes captured this image of the Taranaki region from 11,000 metres. 2 of 35 WILLIAM BARNES Pilot William Barnes captured this image of the Taranaki region from 11,000 metres. 3 of 35 WILLIAM BARNES Pilot William Barnes took this shot as he departed from Christchurch Airport. 4 of 35 ROB GLACIER Chilly train passengers wait at Tawa station on Sunday. 5 of 35 ROB GLACIER Snow covers train tracks at Tawa. 6 of 35 MAARTEN HOLL/Dominion Post Student Nick Hanover Snowboarding in Brooklyn, Wellington. 7 of 35 DEAN HILLIER The Beehive endures a blanketing of snow in Wellington. 8 of 35 STACY SQUIRES Wendy Wu finda a good use of Pak n Save shopping bags. 9 of 35 ROSS GIBLIN William Donaldson, 2, playing in snow falling in Karori. 10 of 35 IAIN MCGREGOR Snow in Christchurch - an Oryx at Orana Park. 11 of 35 ANDREW GORRIE A man on The Terrace crosses the road as it snows in Wellington city. 12 of 35 BEN HEATHER Matthew Bouzaid, 15, of Auckland, puts the finishing touches to a snowman in Queenstown. 13 of 35 CAMERON BURNELL Taranaki was blanketed in snow. 14 of 35 CAMERON BURNELL Taranaki was blanketed in snow. 15 of 35 CAMERON BURNELL Taranaki was blanketed with snow. 16 of 35 JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON A Bellbird at a frozen bird feeder. Snow in Queenstown. 17 of 35 JOHN BISSET South Canterbury awoke to a covering of Snow on Monday morning. pictured is Jen Bolt feeding her calves near Milford at Temuka. 18 of 35 JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON Coal chases snowball thrown by her owners, Lisa and Stephen Counsell - snow in Queenstown. 19 of 35 John Nicholson Snow in Willis Street, Wellington. Youri, 6, and his brother Mathis, 9, Apparicio from Canada enjoy the snow in Willis Street. 20 of 35 HAMISH COLEMAN-ROSS Snow returns to Wellington on Monday morning. 21 of 35 Don Scott Zeeva Cohen from Auckland walking down Papanui rd, Christchurch. 22 of 35 Don Scott St Andrews students on the center strip of Bealey Ave, Christchurch City. 23 of 35 Don Scott John Burrows and kids play in the snow in the portaloo-equipped Silverdale Place, Avonside, Christchurch. 24 of 35 Dean Kozanic Snow fall in and around the New Brighton area as a southerly front passes through. Sam and Chessa Crow of Christchurch around the New Brighton library. 25 of 35 Ross Giblin Snow falling in Peck St, Pomare, Lower Hutt. Emil, 17 and Mika Ulberg, 8, gather snow to throw at family members.They have never seen snow before. 26 of 35 Snow in Tokoroa 27 of 35 DAVID HALLETT/The Press Snow blankets the beach at Shag rock and Moncks Bay, Christchurch, Monday morning. 28 of 35 Robert Kitchin Snow fall in Carterton in the Wairarapa. 29 of 35 TONY CHRISTENSEN Eight-year-old Ki takes a bike ride in Churton Park, outside of Wellington. 30 of 35 MARKUS KAUFMANN The southerly front approaching, as seen from Mt Oxford in North Canterbury. 31 of 35 ANDREW GORRIE/The Dominion Post Belmont father and son Mike and Joey Palmer enjoying the snow. 32 of 35 A car didn't handle the conditions on Dunedin's Whare Flat Road this afternoon 33 of 35 BARRY HARCOURT/The Southland Times Flurries of snow settled on sheep near Te Anau this afternoon. 34 of 35 Emily Reynolds Snow tops the roofs on Dundas Street in North Dunedin. 35 of 35 K CASSIDY Wainuiomata residents were delighted by the unusual sight of snow.

> For a list of closed roads, airports, schools and hospitals click here.

Some Wellington and Christchurch residents were unable to leave their houses earlier today as the roads were too unsafe to drive on, and public transport was severely hit.

Travellers were stranded at airports as some flights were cancelled, particularly in Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington where the airports were closed for part of the day.

1 of 40 HAMISH COLEMAN-ROSS/Stuff An aerial view over Wellington's wind farm. 2 of 40 Hannah Thorne James Thorne stands by his Yoda snowman in Christchurch. 3 of 40 HAMISH COLEMAN-ROSS/Stuff An aerial view of Wellington. 4 of 40 Rikki Cosgrove Snowboarding at Waikuku Beach. 5 of 40 Tessa Rait Wax-eyes fight for food in Christchurch. 6 of 40 Mark Wilson The view from Makara Peak. 7 of 40 Hilary Stace Two dogs, complete with winter coats, play in the snow in Mairehau, Christchurch. 8 of 40 Atamira de Goldi An igloo constructed brick by brick by some Christchurch students. 9 of 40 Brendan Mai Winter has Wellington in its grip in this shot from Mt Kaukau in Wellington. 10 of 40 Brendan Mai A still morning in Mt Kaukau, Wellington. 11 of 40 Lachie Watson A naked twist on pausing for thought in the snow. 12 of 40 Dean Milne Snow poses a threat to this gutter in Johnsonville. 13 of 40 Victoria Rasmussen A snowman takes over the safety messages in Avondale, Christchurch. 14 of 40 Mark Stanton The main street of Upper Hutt. 15 of 40 Kelly Few-Mackay A view over the top of Stokes Valley and Whiteman's Valley with the South Island in the distance. 16 of 40 Paul Rea Snow falls in Palmerston North. 17 of 40 Matt Jenkinson Slater St in Richmond, Christchurch. 18 of 40 Suzie Grieve Josh and Hayden peak out from their igloo in Methven. 19 of 40 Jeff Dunlop White streets in Lower Hutt. 20 of 40 Jason Mooney Christchurch airport blanketed in snow. 21 of 40 Nicole Gardyne Mitchell Gardyne holds an icicle measuring more than 140cms tall on Crown Tce in Queenstown. 22 of 40 Pranksters left their mark in Dunedin's Octagon, which Emma Johnston saw in this web camera footage yesterday. 23 of 40 Shannon Kirk Shannon Kirk's partner made the most of being snowed in at Whitemans Valley in Upper Hutt by building a snowman. 24 of 40 Sam McIlroy Cross country skiing was a novel way of travelling down Tinakori Hill in Wellington. 25 of 40 Matt Gwynne Pip enjoys the novelty of snow on north New Brighton beach. 26 of 40 P Pan Snow falls in Karori. 27 of 40 Nic A primate-take on the snowman in Westmorland, Christchurch. 28 of 40 Jan and Ian A horse rolls in the snow. 29 of 40 Katie and Bede Bailey A kereru hunkers down in Upper Hutt. 30 of 40 Anabell Radford Xanthe-Saunders goes for a swing at Castlerock, Southland. 31 of 40 LIZ Aerial photo of Mt Kaukau on approach to Wellington Airport, Tuesday morning. 32 of 40 WILLIAM SCOTT Icicles, Oxford, North Canterbury. 33 of 40 LIZ Aerial photo of Grenada, north Wellington, taken Tuesday morning. 34 of 40 WILLIAM SCOTT Dog in the snow, Oxford, North Canterbury. 35 of 40 GABI NEWMAN Enzo the dalmation jumps to catch a snowball in Sumner, Christchurch. 36 of 40 MARCUS KAN Bailey the cat, with "lion haircut" ventures out into the snow from his Churton Park, Wellington, home. 37 of 40 SAMULE FORBES Snow in Christchurch, Tuesday morning. 38 of 40 DANIEL ROBINSON Dog digging in the snow, Johnsonville, Wellington. 39 of 40 JEREMY FLETT Suburban snowman, Christchurch. 40 of 40 MARCUS KAN Tuesday morning, Churton Park, Wellington.

All airports were now reopened, but warned travel could again be disrupted due to the weather.

In Wellington, more than 20 flights have either been cancelled or delayed after the airport closed its runway for nearly two hours this evening.

At 8pm, about 140 Orion customers were without power in Leeston, Tai Tapu and Dunsandel and around Christchurch city.

Power was also out to 50 homes outside Wellington and about 300 homes in South Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatu and Wairarapa.

Residents in the lower North Island have been warned that more power cuts are expected.

A further 15 to 30 centimetres of snow was forecast to fall above 400 metres near Wellington until midnight tonight, and severe winds were expected to lash coastal areas between Canterbury, Wellington and Wairarapa.

Snow again fell in the northern hill suburbs of Wellington and in parts of the Hutt Valley early this evening. The heaviest snow was forecast for Canterbury with 15-30cm at lower levels and 30-60cm above 300 metres.

But while more heavy snow was expected this evening, forecasters say the end is in sight.

MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said the icy southerly was expected to strengthen again, before gradually easing from tomorrow evening.

"While more snow is likely, the end is in sight. It's still a few days away though."

SNOW IN WINTERLESS NORTH

The snow that has blanketed the country since Sunday has hit parts of the country usually immune from winter including Mount Tutamoe, just north of Dargaville, which was dusted with snow this morning.

Tramper Viv Trounson said the snow on the summit was two inches thick when he made an early morning trek. He was about 580m up the mount when it started and he said snow fell steadily for around an hour.

"The snowflakes were as big as 20c pieces," he said. " It was absolutely wonderful, it was beautiful."

Jaime Melanson, who lives in Mahuta Gap just south of Dargaville, said the snow was accompanied by wind gusts of 111kmh at 8am.

Climate scientist Georgina Griffiths, of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), said yesterday was the coldest day in Auckland since records began in 1961.

The temperature at the airport reached 8.1 degrees Celsius - compared with the previous lowest high of 8.7C, on July 4, 1996.

While at the Wellington Airport the temperature got to 6.8C making it the second coldest day there since records began in 1959, the first being 6.5C on June 21, 1976.

NIWA also confirmed a large number of record low August maximum temperatures yesterday, particularly in North Island locations.

At Tauranga's airport, the mercury fell to 8.9C - its lowest since 1941. Temperatures dropped to 3.5C in Martinborough - the lowest in August since 1986 and in Waiouru the mercury fell to -1.0C, the lowest since 1972.

In Palmerston North temperatures fell to 6.2C - the lowest August temperature since 1940, and in Hamilton, the mercury dropped to 6.8C, the second coldest day in August since 1940. Gisborne also recorded its second lowest temperature since 1940 at 8.2C.

But New Zealanders had good news to look forward to - MetService said the temperature would creep up by about one degree each day until the end of the week.

Many state highways around New Zealand were closed, including the Desert Road and Rimutaka Hill road in the North Island and the Lewis Pass and Arthurs Pass in the South Island.

Police have warned of treacherous driving conditions as the snow would turn to ice, which has already seen one car slide off the road on the southbound lane near the Tawa off ramp this morning.

Prime Minister John Key called on employers to be compassionate to workers who were snowed in, and said the timing of the weather was "slightly lucky" as farmers were just beginning lambing season.

"If there is a whole lot of snow and ice and you can't get out of your driveway then you'd expect employers to take a generous view towards that," Key said.

Conditions in the northern hill suburbs of Wellington remained hazardous with 24 hours of snow now frozen on the ground.

The Transport Agency was liaising with police to get the slush swept off roads, and grit poured over the worst-hit places to give more traction.

These include the Ngauranga Gorge, State Highway One near Otaki, Levin and Manakau, and State Highway 56 near the Longburn overbridge where numerous cars were reported to have slid off the road.

Mail was not delivered for a second day in some parts of the country with the entire lower North Island missing a postal delivery today.

Many children stayed at home as some school in Wellington and all schools in Christchurch were closed. And bus services were disrupted in both cities.

- Stuff, Dargaville News, The Dominion Post, The Press, Southland Times and Taranaki Daily News

