Much of the country is in the grip of a chilly start ahead of rain and strong northwest winds that are set to sweep into the lower South Island today, ending weeks of calm autumn weather.
MetService meteorologist Ngaire Wotherspoon said a front approaching the country would bring strengthening winds to the region today.
“Fiordland, Southland and Otago, those western areas are probably going to see the worst of it,” she said.
A 12-hour strong wind watch is in place for Fiordland, Southland, Otago and Stewart Island from 10pm tonight, with winds approaching severe gale in exposed places, while the Canterbury High Country is also expected to be hit by strong winds from 3am.
Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound and the Westland ranges are under a heavy rain watch from the early hours of tomorrow morning.
This morning dawned with widespread single-digit and sub-zero temperatures. Mt Cook Village dipped to its coldest of the year at -7.1C.
Wotherspoon said some inland areas shivering after days of freezing fog and frosts could welcome the change.
Places like Alexandra had been stuck under “quite oppressive” fog, low cloud and near-freezing temperatures in recent days as a stubborn high-pressure system lingered over the country.
🥶 Chilly temps around the country this morning! ❄️ with some places dipping into the negatives. 🧊 While not on this chart, of note is Mount Cook Village which this morning dipped to its lowest temperature of the year, a balmy -7.1°C. 🌡️⬇️
— MetService NZ (@MetService) May 18, 2026
Let us know how cold you were this… pic.twitter.com/x0l1GGA5Fs
“The winds will kick up some of those fog patches and some of those colder temperatures as well,” she said.
Otago and Canterbury motorists are also being urged to take care, with “chilly mornings” bringing ice and fog hazards to highways.
New Zealand Transport Agency journey manager for Otago-Southland, Nicole Felts said black ice, also known as invisible ice, had already contributed to road crashes this season.
Felts warned lower speed limits could be introduced and roads temporarily closed to allow snow clearance and stranded vehicles to be removed.
“If you do need to travel in snow and ice conditions, aim to travel by day when you can and be prepared for road closures or delays.”
Meanwhile, further north, the main centres are expected to escape the worst of the change.
Wotherspoon said Auckland had been “the place to be” over the past week, with light winds, clear skies and temperatures hovering around average for this time of year.
Daytime highs are expected to sit around 18C or 19C today, while overnight temperatures are forecast to dip to about 8C.
Showers could brush the city heading into tomorrow as winds turn northwesterly, though Wotherspoon said it was “not going to be a big deal”.
“Just make sure you bring a raincoat with you.”
Wellington is also expected to remain relatively settled, with northerly winds and periods of cloud forecast through today.
Christchurch is expected to feel the biggest shift among the main centres, Wotherspoon said.
Overnight temperatures sitting around 1C across parts of Canterbury are expected to lift as northwest winds help disturb lingering fog.
Wotherspoon said the calmer conditions felt particularly noticeable after months of unsettled summer weather.
“After such a turbulent summer where we were seeing weather system after weather system, we’re now seeing some of that calmer weather in late autumn.”