Southern motorists are being urged to watch out for icy roads tomorrow after the ''coldest night of the year'' tonight.
The NZ Transport Agency put out the warning today, saying: “We are anticipating the coldest night of the year to date with very cold, widespread temperatures across Southland, Otago and parts of Canterbury.
''Drivers should expect ice and if people can start work later in the morning, do so,'' NZTA Senior Network Manager John Jarvis said.
“When driving, slow down and drive to the conditions. Many roads will be gritted, which also require slower speeds, and there is likely to be black ice in remote places, in shady areas and on bridges,” he said.
Temperatures as low as -7 degrees overnight are forecast by MetService for some inland areas.
The predicted chill comes after a freezing night for some in the South Island, where temperatures dropped below 0degC in many places.
Temperatures at Mt Cook airport between 4 and 5am dropped to -8.2C, to -5.3C at Tekapo, -4C at Pukaki Airport and -3.2C at Alexandra.
In the lower North Island, temperatures dropped to -3.4C in Masterton, -3.5C on the Desert Rd, -2.3C in Upper Hutt and -1C in Martinborough.
Meanwhile, temperatures in most of the country are forecast to be colder than usual during what is the chilliest time of the year.
The MetService's long-range forecast is picking below-average temperatures for the first half of this month.
MetService meteorologist Georgina Griffiths said this is "typically the coldest fortnight of the year".
"All indications are that most of New Zealand will see below-average temperatures during this time."
Recent snowfall over the lower South Island will be welcome news for those planning ski trips during the school holidays, "but it's a different story for the power bill" Griffiths said.
- additional reporting NZME
