By Erin Tasker and APNZ

Residents in western parts of Mid Canterbury woke to an unusual January sight yesterday morning.

There was snow on the ground.
Snow in January – the middle of summer – might seem highly unusual but mid-summer cold snaps did happen from time to time.
After hitting a high of 27.6 degrees on Thursday, a wild southerly hit late and brought gusty winds, heavy rain and snow to some parts.
Methven man Bruce Dickson, who has been in the district since 1985, said he could recall summer snow in the town in the past – including people skiing on Mt Hutt on Christmas Day – but it was rare.
He didn't see yesterday's snow himself, leaving for work at 5.50am when the temperature gauge at the Methven Medical Centre read just 4 degrees, but he'd heard reports of snow as low down as Lauriston at 4.30am.
He said there had been three snowfalls on Mt Hutt so far this month and that was highly unusual.
According to council rain gauges, Ashburton received 24.6mm of rain, Mt Somers 21.2mm and Hakatere 10mm.
Ashburton's principal rural fire officer Don Geddes said the cold snap and rain was likely to have delayed the bringing in of fire restrictions for possibly another two weeks.
Restrictions may come into force in the Mid Canterbury high country earlier though as it was drier than the Plains.
Elsewhere in the South Island, Naseby awoke to 7cm of snow on the ground yesterday, with similar levels reported in Ranfurly, Omakau and Oturehua.
Christchurch fell to 4 degrees overnight Thursday and Timaru 3 degrees.
WeatherWatch head analyst Philip Duncan said the reason behind the cold snap might surprise some weather-watchers.
"We usually think of highs, or anticyclones, as our summer friends that bring hot, sunny, beach weather, but the truth is that a high can also contribute significantly to cold snaps and this is what we're seeing today."
But the summer weather would return this weekend.
"The good thing about a high that creates a cold southerly like this is that it then comes in the next day and pushes the bad stuff out east over the Pacific Ocean.
"This weekend we'll see a high rolling in bringing clear skies and lighter winds, but it will be cold to start with."
Ashburton is heading for a day of clear skies and a high of 25 degrees today and while tomorrow is due to hit 22 degrees.
That will be followed by an afternoon southerly change which is meant to bring drizzle.

Pictured: here was a chill in the air yesterday morning thanks to a decent covering of snow on the Southern Alps.

Photo Tetsuro Mitomo