Snow warning for Napier-Taupō Rd, Waka Kotahi to monitor for any closures

Snow on the Maungaharuru Range near SH5 last week. Photo / Warren Buckland

MetService is warning of snow potentially settling along Napier-Taupō Rd (SH5) overnight, with a cold blast expected to bring a couple of chilly mornings to Hawke's Bay.

A road snowfall warning was in place from 3pm to 11pm until late Wednesday for the Napier-Taupō Rd with the potential of snow settling along the top of that highway.

"Remember to switch on your headlights, increase your following distance and be prepared for unexpected hazards when driving in these conditions," a Waka Kotahi post read.

The cold blast will result in a couple of chilly mornings ahead for Hawke's Bay.

For the early Thursday morning, the mercury was forecast to drop to around 3C in Napier and Hastings, while temperatures could hit zero on the early morning of Friday, according to MetService.

Temperatures are also forecast to drop below 5C on Saturday and Sunday early mornings in Hawke's Bay.

It comes after snow fell to low levels across Hawke's Bay last Tuesday (September 6), closing the Napier-Taupō Rd for much of that morning.