Chilly weather expected to continue

Residents in the deep south will need to wrap up tight this weekend - with severe morning frosts being forecast for Central Otago.

Chilly temperatures, which have hit the central North Island this week and caused widespread disruption to motorists on the Desert Road, were expected to continue over the weekend and bring snow to Southland, Otago and Canterbury.

Alexandra was likely to experience overnight temperatures of between -1C and -3C, while those in the Taumarunui region were looking at overnight weekend lows of -1C.

MetService duty forecaster Larissa Marintchenko said heavy rain lashing eastern regions of the North Island was also likely to continue until Saturday.

Police have warned motorists in these areas to be extra careful.

Earlier today a farmer rescued a woman who had become stranded in flood waters near Napier when she tried to cross a flooded ford in her station wagon.

And while many will be dreading a wet and cold weekend, snow enthusiasts will be pleased the icy temperatures are expected to bring more snow to ski fields in the central North Island.

Mount Ruapehu's general manager of operations Chris Thrupp said the mountain had already received a fresh dumping of snow in the last 24 hours.