Cold snap hits south, moves north
BY CHRIS SCHULZ
Related Links
Relevant offers
A cold snap has struck New Zealand, with blizzard-type conditions being reported in parts of the South Island.
The MetService said snowfall was down to near sea level from Southland to Kaikoura Coast and at unusually low levels in the North Island.
It issued weather warnings of road snowfall for both the South and North Islands.
Metservice forecaster Andy Downs said temperatures were "bitterly cold" in the South Island, with a high of just 5 degrees in Christchurch and only 4 degrees in Kaikoura. Dunedin hit 7 degrees.
Reports from Oxford, just out of Christchurch, suggested blizzard conditions with moderate snow falls and high winds.
Temperatures had reached just 5 degrees in Wellington by lunchtime, with snow and hail falls being reported on the Rimutaka Road and around the hilly northern suburbs.
Police advised motorists to take care as heavy hail hit the Wellington region mid afternoon.
Downs said the cold weather, caused by a strong southerly flow, was moving up the country and would hit coastal areas around the middle of the North Island tonight.
"The worst is yet to come for places in the central North Island."
He said the weather was probably the coldest yet this winter, and was unusual for this time of year.
"It's very unusual to get such a cold outbreak in May."
Snow was expected to fall on the Desert Road this afternoon and evening, with about 10-20cm accumulating on the road.
Motorists should check road conditions before travelling and plan for possible closures, the MetService said, and farmers should shelter vulnerable livestock as the windchill was likely to be severe.
Conditions were expected to ease on Sunday afternoon in the South Island and Monday morning in the North Island.
The conditions didn't affect Aucklanders, who awoke to a fine, sunny day that hit 14 degrees by lunchtime - despite forecasts for rain.
- With NZPA
* Is the weather affecting you? Send your photos and stories to newsroom@stuff.co.nz.
- © Fairfax NZ News
Sponsored links
Newest First
Oldest First
My son in Canada is due home in July. Says he is not looking forward to the cold - LOL! The houses there are all centrally heated and although it dropped to -40C at one point during their winter, he remembers what is is like here to get out of bed into a cold house where perhaps one room will be heated. I'll encourage him to wait until the summer to return i think.
John #4, do you really think it is that simple? snowwatch #9 you are spot on!
light rain now just south of Auckland, in Waiuku, and temperature dropping fast, now only 6.4C which you dont see it that cold this far north with it raining! Could be snow falling on the Bombay hills (has happened before) if keeps getting colder at the rate it has been
Interesting to see the global warming proponents squirm with the colder weather we've been seeing world-wide in the last few years. According to Gore et al we're supposed to be in the midst of rampant warming by now.
As for claiming it's more extreme weather that is the outcome of 'global warming' - lol. For the last 2 to 3 years we've had the fewest category 5 storms in recorded history ! The world's weather has never been so calm.
Yes this is just the start of the cold weather. The Northern Hemisphere had their first taste in their recent winter with many weeks of blizard conditions. So when this cooling period lasts many years the global warming clowns will be saying this what happens in global warming. Their climate models will be turned into chopped liver if they haven't already, so I think Mr. Morgan should stick to his knitting.
Snow showers in Karori at 2pm on the dot. The comment about this being unusual for May is a little off the mark though. Tomorrow is June, and its happened a few times in the 15yrs I've lived in Karori.
2.2 degrees in Johnsonville
Not as bad in Chch as it was forecast to be. Has been blue sky & sunny most of the day, with the odd passing shower. No snow or sleet even. Damn cold though.
A lovely 28c with a slight sea breeze here in Fiji. Lying back in hammock on the beach with Fiji Gold in hand.
'Trail blazer' Carmen farewelled in Auckland
Man missing after Harbour Bridge fall
Police name Hawke's Bay crash victim
Victim was holding bat, says witness
Tension high as lethal log pile cleared
Engineer's report prompts mall evacuation
Teen window cleaner stable after fall
Concerns for missing Featherston woman
UK New Zealander of the Year announced
Earthquakes shake north and south of NZ
Dead man in mine apparently collapsed
A burning issue: When coffins get too big
Tension high as lethal log pile cleared
Police name Hawke's Bay crash victim
'Trail blazer' Carmen farewelled in Auckland
Victim was holding bat, says witness
Engineer's report prompts mall evacuation
Gardener's paradise planned for Chch
Danny Lee drops back to pack at Pebble Beach
Obama tries to defuse birth control fight
Police recapture Madonna stalker
Promoter dismisses bike helmet harm study
Will bill make food safer or be a form of control?
Quakes blow Wellington's benchmark
EU courts Kiwis for science grants
Earthquakes shake north and south of NZ
Engineer's report prompts mall evacuation
Quakes blow Wellington's benchmark
Author, 12, gives proceeds to cancer research
Daily trivia quiz: February 11
Baby murder-accused sobs, sniffles in court
Tension high as lethal log pile cleared
A burning issue: When coffins get too big
Helmet law halves cyclist numbers
CERA report prompts mall evacuation
Top selling games in New Zealand
was sunny in matamata this morning but not now..cold and wet