Icy conditions around Dunedin left at least one duck dazed and confused yesterday.
Temperatures plummeted to -6.4°C at Dunedin Airport, and the pond at the Dunedin Botanic Garden was covered in ice — much to the surprise of some of the local wildlife.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said it was the coldest temperature the city had recorded so far this year.
The recent frosty weather had prompted primary and secondary schools across the city to start their days at 10am for the past two days, so students could safely commute to school and avoid the icy conditions.
"There used to be a lot more snow days than there are now, but climate change has probably played a part in that."
She said the protocol had been in place for the past 20 years and the last time it was used across all schools was in 2023.
Schools could still make their own calls based on what was happening in their areas, but when the frosty weather was widespread across the city, the primary and secondary principals’ associations made a blanket decision.
The associations met online at 6am with police, public transport and the Dunedin City Council to check conditions around the city.
"Ultimately it’s all about the welfare of staff and students being able to get to school safely," she said.
Ms Makgabutlane said temperatures in other parts of the southern regions were also frigid, with Wanaka dropping to -5.1°C, Alexandra reaching -4.6°C, Queenstown was -3.3°C, Gore was -2.5°C, and Invercargill was -2°C.
Oamaru managed to remain above zero — just.
She said the run of calm, frosty mornings and clear days was the result of a broad ridge of high pressure, which was expected to last until this weekend when the skies would become cloudier.
Overnight temperatures would then become warmer for much of next week, but it would come with cloud, showers and winds.
Warnings and watches for heavy rain and strong winds may be issued in the coming days, so residents were urged to keep up with the latest forecasts.
