Cold snap bites much of NZ

It was a frosty start for many people this morning as the cold snap keeps a grip on much of the country.

The temperature plummeted to 0C in Auckland overnight, with frosts possible in parts of the city.

Weather Watch head analyst Philip Duncan said the cold snap was meant to last for the start of the week - but today should be the coldest.

Dunedin and Queenstown got down to -3C overnight, he said.

"We've had this big southerly blast, it's dredged up this very cold air which is now sitting over the country and we've got nationwide frosts this morning. The next couple of days are pretty cold and we'll see some frosts but this morning is probably the frostier morning.

"By Thursday, Friday we're back to northerlies...it's going to be warmer by the end of the week, warmer and wet by Friday," he said.

He said it was a "very unusual" set-up in Auckland this morning with frosts in the city but cloud and showers offshore.

The cloud would roll in today, he said.

MetService said a northerly flow would bring rain to the north and west of both islands on Friday.

There was a low chance the rain could reach warning levels in Nelson, Buller, Westland, Taranaki, Northland, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty.

Snow is expected in the northern Hawkes Bay region and Gisborne early this morning, with a severe weather watch in place.

Auckland should expect a mainly fine day with a chance of showers and a high of 11C while Wellington is in for occasional showers and a high of 8C.

Today's forecast

Dunedin: Morning showers, becoming fine. High 7C, low 0C

Queenstown: Morning frosts, fine. High 7C, low -4C

Auckland: Mainly fine, chance of shower. High 11C, low 4C

Hamilton: Fine spells, morning frosts. High 11C, low -2C

Wellington: Occasional showers, strong winds. High 8C, low 5C

Christchurch: Cloudy periods with a few showers and possible sleet. High 7C, low 1C

Tomorrow's forecast

Dunedin: Fine with morning frosts. High 7C, low 2C

Queenstown: Fine with frosts. High 8C, low -3C

Auckland: Fine. High 12C, low 6C

Hamilton: Fine with morning frosts. High 12C, low 0C

Wellington: Showers. High 9C, low 6C

Christchurch: Morning showers, fine. High 8C, low -2C

(Source: MetService)

- Lauren Priestley of NZME News Service

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