Weather: MetService warns of ‘cold and crispy’ weekend as May temperatures drop

People attending winter sports this weekend have been advised to rug up before heading out. Photo / Duncan Brown

Early morning risers should rug up this weekend as May gets off to a cold start.

MetService meteorologist Ashlee Parkes told the Herald a high-pressure system paired with clear skies will create a “cold and crispy” weekend.

Some South Island areas will drop as low as -1C, while in Northland the coolest temperature will be 14C.

“People can expect cooler temperatures as we come into May and closer to winter,” she said.

“There will be frost in some areas especially in the south.”

With the winter sports season starting for some this weekend, people are being reminded to not just pack active gear.

“People should be wearing their beanies, scarves, gloves, woolly socks before they head out,” said Parkes.

Twizel in the South Island takes the cake for today’s minimum temperature with -1C, while Timaru and Queenstown are at 2C.

In the North Island, Taumarunui and Whanganui’s lowest temperatures are 5C.

Light showers are possible for eastern Northland and the mountain ranges of Fiordland until midday Sunday.

Auckland and Wellington dropped to between 10C and 11C overnight, while Christchurch plummeted to 4C.