MetService says "the next few nights are going to be our coldest" as a cold snap continues across the country.
Yesterday, many across the country woke to another bitterly cold start as sub-zero temperatures and frosts set in.
A snow dump in Dunedin caused traffic chaos, with emergency services responding to at least 20 weather-related call outs, and a dusting of snow even fell in Wellington for the first time in almost a decade.
Forecasters say the coldest day of winter has yet to come. (Source: 1News)
MetService meteorologist John Law told Breakfast this morning the cold temperatures were not due to disappear just yet, saying "the next few nights are going to be our coldest".
"So Thursday night into Friday, I think that's going to be a really chilly one, even up in towards Auckland and Northland.
"But I think once we're head in towards Friday, a bit of a change in our wind direction, back to more northerlies, so lose that cold southerly air over us. So temperatures getting a little bit better as we head through in towards the weekend," he said.
He said some of the coldest areas in the South Island including Tekapo and toward Mount Cook Village recorded temperatures of -7 and -8C overnight.
"Even up north, we've had some pretty cold temperatures, threes and fours, but with a bit of a breeze there it makes it feel much colder.
"But it's worth saying, even if we thought last night was cold, the next few nights are probably going to be a couple of degrees colder. So you definitely need those extra layers, those gloves, and those extra woolly blankets," he said.
Law said "areas that stuck out into the east caught the most of that snowfall".
"So places like Dunedin, the Otago Peninsula, Banks Peninsula, with those showers just running through, and Christchurch further inland a lot drier.
"Today, I think most of the showers are going to be across those eastern parts of the North Island. Mostly is rain, but a bit of a sleety mix in there, and some hail as we head through the day."
Roads closed
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said State Highway 2 at Remutaka Hill has closed again following bad weather and snow.
"Drivers travelling between Wellington and Wairarapa are asked to delay their travel and use an alternative route until further notice," an NZTA spokesperson said.
The Desert Rd in the central North Island also remain shut due to snow and ice.
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