SunLive – Kiwis wake up to snow, more cold temperatures ahead

Kiwis wake up this morning to frost, snow and icy winds, but with that comes dry, pleasant and sunny conditions for most.

The National Institute of Water and Atmosphere Research (Niwa) says the country is in the midst of a “winter-like surge” and snow is expected in the central North Island yesterday afternoon, as the air polar plunged temperatures below zero.

MetService issued road snowfall warnings for four mountain passes in the South Island yesterday, with up to 5cm of snow expected to settle overnight last night.

Meanwhile, temperatures in Auckland were forecast to drop to 6C overnight and 4C tonight.

Throughout today, the daily high could reach 17°C with good conditions and fresh southerly winds.

Frost is also likely on Friday morning. MetService attributes the colder temperatures to a series of cold fronts hitting the country with strong southerly winds.

MetService meteorologist John Law says frost is possible in the North Island, explaining that clear night skies and cold winds created “perfect conditions” for colder than average temperatures.

Heading into the weekend, the city could drop to 5C on Saturday night with an overnight low of 7C forecast for Sunday.

The maximum temperature on Saturday was 15°C, while on Sunday it should reach 16°C. Both days should see sunny skies and fresh southerly winds.

Speaking of snow in the North Island, Law says: “If you’re in Hawke’s Bay tomorrow and you look at the hills to the west, you might see a dusting of snow.”

It comes after Taumarunui started at -4C on Wednesday. Taupō started the day at -2°C. Further south, Christchurch woke up to -3C, Timaru started at -2C and Queenstown recorded -1C.

Niwa calls this a “quick start to the snow season” and says Friday will be “a very cold day for the time of year.”

Snow at Porters Pass today. Photo / George Heard.

Some of the winds likely to hit the country tonight could reach 80km/h in exposed places around Westland in the South Island. Gale gales are also possible in Wellington and Marlborough tomorrow morning.

The earliest road snow warning came into effect at 3pm Wednesday, for Crown Range Rd. It should end at 6pm the same day.

Lewis Pass, State Highway 7, Arthur’s Pass, SH73 and Porters Pass were under road snow warnings from 7 pm Wednesday at the earliest until 3 am Thursday at the latest.

Gusts were recorded on Crown Range Rd at 4pm on Wednesday, prompting a MetService warning to motorists to “drive safely and take care on wet and poor visibility roads”.

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane says this May marks a stark contrast to last year.

“Many may remember the tropical temperatures of May 2023, when places like Auckland and Hamilton experienced record-breaking warm nights. However, this year, expect a mid-single-digit overnight drop in Auckland city and near-freezing early morning temperatures in Hamilton,” says Makgabutlane.

– New Zealand Herald.