Polar blast sweeps country

Rugby fans could be forced to sheepishly reach for the winter woollies, with temperatures expected to plunge to 4 degrees celsius for Saturday's grudge match between France and the All Blacks in Wellington.

Snow and ice closed roads, schools and airports as an Arctic blast swept up the country yesterday and MetService says there is more to come this weekend.

Weather forecaster Ramon Oosterkamp is warning Wellingtonians to batten down the hatches for a southerly storm expected to last till Monday.

Foul weather is expected in Wellington for the test match at Westpac Stadium. "Given wind chill factor, spectators at the game should prepare for four-degree temperatures," Mr Oosterkamp said.

Police today advised motorists to be extra vigilant as snow and ice blanket roads around the country.

State Highway 1 in the central North Island has been reduced to one lane after a truck and trailer unit carrying beer and food overturned in icy conditions about 2km south of Waiouru overnight.

A crane was being brought in to help clear the road, central police communications Inspector Steve Darroch said.

"Traffic can still get through but there's obviously going to be hold ups around there," he said.

The truck driver escaped with minor injuries.

Roads around the South Island were also treacherous, a police southern communications spokesman said.

Three Mile Hill in Dunedin has been closed and the southern motorway was covered in snow "but should be alright if people drive sensibly".

The intersection of SH1 and SH87 at Mosgiel was "really slippery" as was the road heading out the airport, he said.

Snow, black ice and sleet closed roads and forced schools to shut around the South Island yesterday.

Snow also closed Dunedin Airport, and 10 flights were cancelled, upsetting the plans of hundreds of travellers. There were several crashes but no serious injuries were reported.

The MetService predicted Dunedin would be slightly warmer today.

Mt Ruapehu ski-fields spokesman Mike Smith said the cold weather was welcome.

Snow-making machines would put the final layers of powder on the fields before the Turoa fields opened on Saturday.

The Whakapapa field is due to open a week later.

COLD AS ICE

Minimum temperatures in New Zealand

Yesterday: Fairlie, South Canterbury -3 degrees celsius

Today: Hanmer -5C

Minimum temperature in Wellington

Yesterday: 1C

Today: 3C

Coldest temperature recorded in June for Wellington: -1.2C in 1919.

- With NZPA

- © Fairfax NZ News