The Arctic explosion that has dumped snow in Christchurch and closed roads across the South Island is set to abate in Canterbury.
Wanaka reached -3 degrees C overnight, while Christchurch dropped to 2 degrees C, but it “felt like” -2 degrees C, MetService said. At 6 a.m. today, most of the lower South Island was shivering in near-zero temperatures.
Highways in Otago and Canterbury were closed due to snow or icy conditions. On the North Island, the Desert Road (SH1) was closed from Waiouru to Rangipo.
Children play in the snow in Victoria Park. Photo: Geoff Sloan
Temperatures are set to peak at around 10 degrees C in Christchurch today with a chance of rain around 4pm.
The garden city can then expect a maximum of 12°C and a minimum of 3°C on Friday. But it will rise to 15 degrees C on Saturday and then 19 degrees C on Sunday.
Waka Kotahi NZTA South Island travel manager Tresca Forrester said several roads were closed overnight to prevent people from getting trapped in the icy conditions. They should open again today.
The Akaroa Highway (SH75) was closed this morning but reopened about 10:15 a.m. between Little River and Barrys Bay. However, winter driving conditions were still in effect today.
Meanwhile, there were heavy snow warnings for Southland and much of Otago, the Southern Lakes District and Fiordland until mid-morning. in the north, snow above 200 meters is forecast for Wairarapa and the eastern hills of Wellington.
NIWA meteorologist Chris Brandolino said more snow is likely to fall in the eastern parts of Otago today.
“So Balclutha, Dunedin, they’re going to have to deal with snow showers, cold temperatures.”
The core of the coldest air is likely to move over the South Island later today, he said.
“And if that core of the coldest air shifts further east, things will very slowly — I emphasize slowly — improve today, but a pretty windy cold day for the whole country.”
Temperatures below freezing wouldn’t look out of place in July, but are unusual in early October, he said. It was Christchurch’s first October snowfall in 53 years.
As the town got some snow, it was clearer on the Banks Peninsula, Brandalino said.
But the cold conditions probably won’t last long, he said.
“By early next week, let’s say Monday, it’s entirely possible that places dealing with snow, well, everyone is dealing with the cold temperatures — places that have had snow this morning, e.g. Christchurch , they could be in the lower 20s.”
Snow fell to sea level overnight in Christchurch and many cars and roofs were being coated this morning.
However, the snow did not stay on the roads and there were no major problems getting around the city.
In Goughs Bay on the east side of the Banks Peninsula, rancher Sandie Stewart said her ranch got about an inch of snow overnight.
The snow fell to sea level on the peninsula, Stewart said.
“It’s very beautiful. The sun is just making its way through the huge cloud eastwards over the beach, so it’s really very magical.”
Sheep farmers who were still lambing may have some concerns, she said.
– Additional reporting RNZ