Weather: Cold snap hits New Zealand with strong southerlies and below-average temperatures

A cold front which crept up the South Island yesterday will extend north today. Photo / Niwa

Autumn has arrived in Aotearoa, as a frigid front brings chilly winds, showers and a noticeable drop in temperature across much of the country.

The cold front which crept up the South Island yesterday will extend across the North Island today, ushering in colder air and strengthening winds.

“Get ready for a cold snap for the east South Island and lower North Island,” MetService warned, adding temperatures would be “6-8C below average!”

“People in the lower half of the North Island will wake up to rain or showers and noticeably colder temperatures,” MetService meteorologist Katie Lyons told the Herald, adding that strong southerly winds would develop throughout the day.

Wellington is forecast to reach a high of just 12C today, down from 20C yesterday, with exposed areas bearing the brunt of the winds.

“Those areas of the North Island that are quite exposed to southerly winds like the East Coast, Taranaki, Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne will definitely notice the wind shift,” Lyons said.

“Those in more exposed places like hilltops will feel the strength of those southerlies.”

While most regions will feel the temperature drop, Lyons said not everyone would see wet weather, noting inland Waikato, Taupō, Rotorua and parts of the central plateau were among the more sheltered areas likely to miss heavier rain.

Along the east coast of the North Island, heavier showers are forecast, with a risk of small hail.

There is also a low risk of thunderstorms near the Māhia Peninsula, though Lyons said thunderstorms were “not a major concern” today.

Auckland is expected to largely escape the worst of the cold front, with a forecast high of 21C today.

The city may see the odd morning shower, before southerly winds strengthen through the afternoon.

In the South Island, the Garden City will reach a peak of 13C today with a low of 7C. Heavy early morning showers should taper off by evening.

Road snow warnings were in place overnight for Lewis Pass and Porters Pass, with up to 2cm of snow predicted to accumulate at Porters Pass.

Lyons said the moisture needed for more significant snowfall would have cleared overnight.

“It will feel quite chilly through to Wednesday,” Lyons said.

“Once this clears, we’re replaced by a nice big high.

“The South Island will get that before the North Island, but we’re looking at a settled period of weather late Tuesday into Wednesday.”

Temperatures across the North Island are expected to begin lifting from Thursday, as a high-pressure system settles over the country and brings calmer, drier conditions.