Wellington's hill suburbs got a dusting of snow today as the latest cold snap continues. It'll be a chilly one for Aucklanders and snow showers are forecast again for Canterbury.
The capital city woke to a cold, wet and windy morning, with temperatures down to 1.8degC last night and an expected high today of only 7degC.
The Rimutaka Hill Road linking Wellington and Wairarapa is closed due to snow and MetService meteorologist John Law said Wellington city's hilly suburbs including Karori could be in for a sprinkling.
Otherwise, rain and sleet would continue.
It would still be chilly in Auckland and Northland and a few showers hang around, although fine spells are increasing. Auckland is in for a high of 10degC. "It's still a cold day for the guys up in Auckland - by their standards anyway," Mr Law said.
The cold snap has resulted in snow falling in the western Bay of Plenty with police and meteorologists warning of ice on roads today.
The Coromandel and Bay of Plenty are in for a cold, fine day today, while showers turning into snow in the hills stretch from Gisborne to the bottom of the North Island.
The MetService has issued a heavy-snow warning for hill country between Gisborne and Wairoa.
WeatherWatch said the East Coast of the North Island could see totals of 5cm to 10cm above 200m, which has already created issues for the Napier-Taupo Rd and highways above that level.
Taupo last night got down to -3.6degC. The Napier to Taupo Rd has re-opened but the New Zealand Transport Agency is warning motorists to take care of the snow and ice.
South Island shivers
In the South Island, snow showers were forecast for northern Canterbury down to about 100 metres. Nelson, Buller and Westland would be fine but cold, Mr Law said.
WeatherWatch said inland Canterbury above 300m could expect between 5cm and 10cm of snow and up to 15cm above 400m.
State Highway 94 between Milford and Te Anau is closed because of avalanches, but is expected to re-open this afternoon. Only motorists with chains should drive SH73 between Arthur's Pass and Springfield.
In Dunedin, the MetService is predicting snow showers down to 300m today and ''strong, cold southerlies'' throughout the day, with temperatures unlikely to get above 7degC.
Meteorologist Rob Kerr said it was likely to be much colder come the weekend, with temperatures in coastal areas of Otago not expected to reach more than 3degC and inland areas, including Dunedin Airport, Queenstown and Alexandra, forecast to experience temperatures as low as -6degC.
A ridge moving over the lower South Island overnight Thursday and into Friday morning would bring more frosts and the possibility of temperatures in the double figure negatives in really sheltered areas.
