Hawke's Bay weather set to be cold and icy

Sheep in a Ngatarawa vineyard shelter as a cold snap bringing rain rolls in from the south. Photo / Warren Buckland

It's time for Hawke's Bay residents to pull out the puffer jackets, beanies and woollen scarves; winter is coming.

The region tolerated a bitter 9C yesterday, but it's going to get colder.

MetService meteorologist Tom Adams said Hawke's Bay is set to experience temperatures between 4C-6C for the next two weeks.

"We do have a few snow warnings out, but not so much for the Hawke's Bay area. However there will definitely be snow on the Kaweka Ranges and of course the Central Plateau.

"The temperatures are starting to hit those single figures, but we're not getting down to zero just yet. Things will start to warm up at the beginning of June, but obviously those temperatures will turn around as the winter season kicks in," Adams said.

Due to the colder weather conditions, MetService is advising drivers to take care and prepare for icy road conditions.

"Because it's going to be cold for the next two weeks, it's more than likely the roads will be icy. This is more likely to be inland than out on the coast.

"A few showers are to be expected over the next two weeks and of course that water is most likely to freeze inland, so you'll see a few frosts as well," Adams said.

Travellers were advised to keep an eye on the MetService and NZTA websites for live updates, especially if they were travelling towards the Taupo area.

"We're expecting snowfall around the Napier-Taupo Rd, but at this stage there are no snow warnings in place." Despite a bitter two weeks, the good news is that Hawke's Bay is in for a relatively cold, but dry weekend with temperatures hitting a high of 11C with light winds.