Winter has made its presence felt early in areas of the South Island

Snow has fallen in the higher parts of Southland and Otago including around Lindis Pass, while some in Naseby near Ranfurly have taken to social media to share the first fall of the year.

Metservice Meteorologist John Law says the snow flurries are coming in short bursts and won't stick around.

However he says the cold temperatures will be a lasting feature of this southerly blast, with temperatures in Canterbury and Otago hovering around two to three degrees overnight.