Coldest nights of year ahead as Auckland tipped to hit -2C
The coldest temperatures of the year are set to hit overnight, with parts of Auckland tipped to plunge to a bone-chilling -2C.
MetService meteorologist John Law told the Herald tonight would be chilly but it was likely to be even colder on Thursday night, particularly for places such as Northland and Auckland.
The forecaster warned frosty conditions could cause icy roads and urged motorists to take extra care in the morning, with some areas forecast to drop to -10C in the south.
Transpower said this morning’s electricity peak was the highest power use ever. It also warned there might be an energy shortfall on Friday morning.
Executive general manager Chantelle Bramley said it was “actively managing the tight balance between supply and demand during this cold snap”.
Law said the freezing weather was caused by chilly air from the south, which brought snow, sleet and hail to some regions yesterday.
The polar blast caused travel chaos in parts of the South Island, with police asking people in Dunedin to avoid travelling unless necessary.
Wellingtonians also recorded snow flurries from their windows.
“As we go through the next few nights, we still keep hold of that cold air, but we find high pressure builds in from the west. That high pressure tends to bring light winds and clear skies,” Law said.
He said the combination of those three things would bring “a real frosty one” for many spots.
How cold could it get in your region?
Law said there was a good chance many places in the North Island could experience their coldest nights of the year so far.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if some of those South Island spots see their coldest of the year as well.”
Law said parts of Northland and Auckland could experience lows of about 1C or 2C tonight.
“Places like Auckland Airport, Whenuapai, perhaps even down as low as -2C tonight,” he said.
Parts of Waikato were forecast to experience “severe frost” and temperatures fall to about -4C.
“It’s definitely on the edge of how cold it normally gets,” Law said.
He said places such as Hamilton, which could drop to -4C, are set to have temperatures about 8C lower than expected at this time of year.
That would be close to Hamilton’s coldest August temperature since records began, -5C set in 1972.
MetService meteorologist John Law says there is a good chance many places in the North Island will experience their coldest nights of the year so far on Wednesday night. Photo / Anna Heath
Law said the South Island would also have a colder night, including Christchurch.
The Garden City was forecast to drop to -5C, significantly colder than 2.7C last night.
Law said the coldest temperature in the country was forecast to be -10C at Mt Cook, while Tekapo could experience similar lows.
Meanwhile, the North Island’s coldest place was expected to be Taumarunui at -6C.
Law said it was unlikely Wellington would receive snow like it did yesterday.
“We’ve seen that risk clear away. Actually, as we go through the next few days, it becomes quite dry.”
He said Friday night temperatures were likely to start picking back up after a stint of nippy conditions.
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