Hawke’s Bay’s first snow of the year arrives as temperatures plunge after hot end to summer

Caroline Bradley of Waipukurau captured the first dumping of snow on the Ruahine Ranges for 2026 from her Pōrangahau Rd home, just two days after autumn started.

The first dusting of snow in 2026 has been spotted in Hawke’s Bay, just in time for autumn.

Central Hawke’s Bay woman Caroline Bradley had just arrived home after her night shift when she snapped a shot of the Ruahine Ranges from upstairs in her Pōrangahau Rd home on Monday morning.

She said the March snow sighting was not unusual, as it fell even earlier last year at the beginning of January, and the arrival signalled that summer was officially over.

By 11.29am, Bradley said the snow had all but gone, and she hadn’t lit the fire or turned the heater on.

MetService meteorologist Dan Corrigan said the cold would hang around for the start of the week, but the weather was likely to warm again towards the end.

“Summer wants you to know it’s not gone just yet, but autumn is coming with a bang with this southerly coming in.”

He said Sunday’s temperatures were above average for this time of year.

Hastings hit a high of 26.4C, Napier 24.4C and Wairoa at 25.7C.

“Those temperatures are pretty warm for this time of year, the average temperature for the daytime max that you would expect in early March in Napier, Hastings is around 23C, 24C.”

He said Monday’s cold air originated from the southern polar regions and the Southern Ocean (Antarctic Ocean).

“The southerly wind is almost like an express for that air to come right up to New Zealand and be in charge of the weather for the first few days this week.”

Corrigan said the weather on Tuesday was expected to reach a high of 15C to 16C, and Wednesday, 20C.

He said it wasn’t typical for a southerly to bring air from that far south as quickly as what is being seen.

“If this type of weather situation were happening in winter, it’s likely that we would be seeing snow to relatively low levels, more than just a frosting on top of the higher ranges.”

Corrigan said Thursday and Friday would see temperatures climb back up, with Thursday expected to be 22C to 23C and Friday 25C.

Michaela Gower joined Hawke’s Bay Today in 2023 and is based out of the Hastings newsroom. She covers Dannevirke and Hawke’s Bay news and loves sharing stories about farming and rural communities.