The first snowfall of the year has given a light coating to mountains in the South Island after a cold front moved across the country last night. 

Cardrona Alpine Resort says it's had a dusting of snow overnight. 

"Just a couple of months until we open for winter and this has got us pretty excited," a spokesperson said. 

Snow on The Remarkables on Thursday. Photo / Queenstown.com 

Snow could also be seen on The Remarkables and Coronet Peak in Queenstown on Thursday morning. 

A cold front moved across the country yesterday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to parts of the North and South islands. 

Thunderstorms also rumbled across the south overnight. 

There is a noticeable difference in temperatures in many places today than yesterday. 

Christchurch was sitting at 12C at 10am, Dunedin 10C and Wellington 13C. 

Aucklanders will get to enjoy the warmer weather for a little longer, with the city reaching 20C this morning. 

Coronet Peak with a dusting of snow on Friday morning. Photo / Queenstown.com 

The weather is expected to remain relatively fine for most of the country over the weekend. 

There is a chance of showers in Wellington on Friday and Auckland on Saturday which is forecast to clear up quickly. 

- by Devon Bolger, NZ Herald