Icy bite swings away — for some
The strong wind, snow and bitter cold that has hit most the country in the past two days is on its way out.
MetService meteorologist Peter Little said temperatures will return to normal for this time of year by tomorrow. “Things are gradually improving to a warmer trend.”
However people in the central North Island and inland parts of the South Island could still be waking up to frost this morning.
“At the moment it is colder than normal, but temperatures will bounce back and be around normal or even slightly above average later this week, ” Little said.
The strong winds reaching up to 118km/h in Auckland were also easing and the severe weather warning over the region has been lifted — but not before a large gantry on Whangapara¯oa Rd, part of the roadsignalling system, toppled yesterday morning.
Diversions were in place until contractors could fix it. A high of 14C is forecast for Auckland today, with showers and southwesterlies.
Waiouru in the Central North Island was the coldest place to be yesterday, reaching a maximum of just 2C. Balclutha in the South Island was only slightly warmer at 3.1C.
Snow fell to lower levels in the central North Island and the South Island, where Moa Flat in Central Otago recorded up to 30cm.
There were reports of snow as far north as the Kaimai Ranges and snow also dusted Southland and Fiordland up the West Coast as far north as Westport.
The NZ Transport Agency was warning motorists in the central North Island that snow was due to fall on State Highway 1’s Desert Rd and State Highway 5, on the Napier-Taupo Rd. The Desert Rd was closed yesterday because of the heavy snow.
Little said skiers wanting to make the most of the fresh dumping of snow in the central North Island may have to hold off for a few days as the wind continues to hang around until Thursday, but the South Island ski fields are looking more promising.
“In places like Whakapapa there’s been a bit of snow falling there but there’s also been very strong winds.
“Certainly the South Island winds look a bit lighter, it’s still marginal. There’s still a strong west to southwest wind higher up.”