Weather forecast: Autumn chill brings single-digit lows to both islands

Single-digit temperatures are coming to both islands as New Zealand starts to experience an “autumnal chill”.

MetService meteorologist Chelsea Glue told the Herald weak fronts would move up the country today, bringing a few showers to the west.

“It should generally be quite fine in the east,” she said.

“However, we are expecting some cooler temperatures with those cooler fronts moving up.”

That includes “some snow about the mountains in places about the South Island”, she said.

After all the weather over the past week, what's in store for the weekend?

🌦️ A series of fronts wash over the country, weakening as they move north.

😐 Average maximum temperatures , but a slight autumnal chill. Low teens or single digit temperatures Saturday morning for many. pic.twitter.com/9NkN3KA5Tc

— MetService NZ (@MetService) February 18, 2026

Maximum temperatures will remain average for this time of year, however lows will fall into the single digits in some places.

According to MetService, Queenstown will reach a high of 16C and a low of 5C today, while Invercargill will reach a high of 14C and a low of 8C.

Christchurch is set to reach a high of 22C and tumble into single digits for a low of 9C.

“Holidaymakers down there will find it a bit chillier than they are used to for this time of year,” Glue said.

In the North Island, Auckland is forecast to reach a high of 23C today and fall to a low of 16C, while Hamilton will reach a high of 23C and tumble to a low of 8C.

NZ’s roller‑coaster weather continues. NIWA 35 shows a drier end to February with mostly settled weather, but March turns more active with near‑normal to above‑normal rain for the North Island and upper South Island, possibly hinting at more tropical influence on New Zealand. pic.twitter.com/MHT3fsJ6Pd

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) February 19, 2026

Glue said a ridge of high pressure would move across the country on the weekend and bring more settled weather for the North Island.

“There is a low skirting quite closely for the South Island, bringing some strong winds and a strong northerly flow,” she said.

“Ahead of that low, a rain band will be moving up the lower half of the South Island on Saturday.

“That front will be moving up the rest of the South Island and on to the lower parts of the North Island on Sunday.”

Those in the top half of the North Island should expect the least rain and wind of the weekend.

“Through Saturday, we are expecting it to remain quite dry. Broadly, it should be quite fine. Very similar on Sunday but the second half of the day should turn a little bit wetter for the lower and western parts of the island.

“Wellington and Taranaki should start to get some showers that should spread up to Auckland in the evening.”

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