Sub-zero temperatures have left parts of State Highway 5 in Hawke's Bay coated in ice this morning, prompting a warning for motorists to travel with care.
Police said the road was particularly icy between the Summit and Te Haroto, with several minor crashes reported but no injuries.
The highway was briefly closed this morning between the SH2/SH5 intersection at Eskdale and the intersection of Pohokura Rd, but had since reopened.
"Please take extra care," NZTA Waka Kotahi said.
MetService meteorologist Gerard Bellam told 1News the icy conditions were caused by a ridge of high pressure sitting over the North Island, allowing temperatures to plunge well below freezing overnight.
Temperatures fell to as low as -5.3C in the high country east of Taupō, while nearby areas recorded lows below -4C. Hastings remained below freezing at -1.2C at 8am, and Gisborne dipped to -0.2C.
He said those freezing temperatures created widespread frost across central and eastern parts of the North Island, and warned motorists not to be deceived by the fine conditions.
"It may look like a nice, fine winter morning, but you can have ice on the road, which makes it quite treacherous,” Bellam said.
Bellam said the cold snap was expected to be short-lived, as a large slow-moving low-pressure system pushed north over the South Island today before crossing into the North Island tomorrow.
"That will flush out those cold temperatures," he added.
The system was forecast to bring heavy rain, severe northwest gales and snow to parts of the South Island this weekend, before bringing strong southeasterlies and a prolonged period of rain for central New Zealand throughout next week.
Bellam said the low could also usher in a colder air mass, producing what was expected to be the most "significant snowfall of the winter so far".
Fresh warnings from MetService today forecast snow as low as 200 metres in Otago and northern Southland, with more than 15cm of snow expected above 400 metres. Alpine areas above 800 metres were forecast to receive more than a metre of snowfall.
Orange heavy rain warnings were issued for the Westland Ranges, the Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Arthur's Pass, Fiordland about and north of Doubtful Sound, and Coastal Otago.
Otago (excluding coastal areas) and northern Southland had an orange heavy snow warning.
A strong wind watch was issued for the Canterbury High Country, while a heavy rain watch was issued for Mainland Southland (excluding northern Southland above 400 metres).
A road snowfall warning was in place for Milford Road (SH94).
“It’ll be a real bonanza for those southern ski fields,” Bellam said.
Full list of watches and warnings:
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Westland Ranges – 13 hours from 9am to 10pm today.
Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Arthur's Pass – 12 hours from 9am to 9pm today.
Headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers – seven hours from 9am to 4pm today.
Fiordland about and north of Doubtful Sound – five hours from 9am to 2pm today.
Coastal Otago – 27 hours from 6am Sunday to 9am Monday.
Heavy Snow Warning – Orange
Otago (excluding coastal areas) and northern Southland – 24 hours from 6am Sunday to 6am Monday.
Strong Wind Warning – Orange
Canterbury High Country – 12 hours from 9am to 9pm today.
Heavy Rain Watch
Mainland Southland (excluding northern Southland above 400 metres) – 24 hours from 11pm today to 11pm Sunday.
Road Snowfall Warnings
Milford Road (SH94) – 10 hours from 10pm today to 8am Sunday.
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