Cook Strait ferry sailings are the first casualty of the “polar blast” bearing down on the country, with both inter-island operators cancelling services ahead of forecast 6m swells.
Interislander has axed all passenger sailings tomorrow because of the conditions, with passengers moved to alternative sailings, it wrote on its website this afternoon.
Bluebridge also cancelled all sailings tomorrow and one early on Sunday morning, it wrote on its website.
“We are monitoring the situation closely, and if further sailings are impacted, we will notify you via text and email at the earliest opportunity.”
The South Island is bracing for a fresh dumping of heavy snow – the second in as many days – with sub-zero temperatures and a warning of power cuts and potential travel disruption.
As of 2.21pm, an NZTA webcam was showing snow falling on State Highway 8 at Burke’s Pass in the Mackenzie Country.
Multiple heavy snow and wind warnings and watches are in place across the island, most coming into effect this afternoon and continuing tomorrow.
It’ll be brisk in the top half of the country as well, with a road snowfall warning for the Desert Rd (SH1) for 10 hours from 5am tomorrow.
The 6m-high heavy swell warnings, which have scuppered inter-island sailings, extend from Wellington – Cape Terawhiti to Turakirae Head, and on to Mataikona for up to 19 hours from 11am tomorrow.
The Chatham Islands are also under a 13-hour strong wind watch from 2pm tomorrow.
💨🌧️❄️ Wind, rain, and snow are all on the cards today!
— MetService (@MetService) June 5, 2025
Snowfall will continue over the higher parts of the South Island, while the North Island braces for strong southeasterlies, showers, and even a dusting of snow around the ranges near and east of Tongariro National Park. pic.twitter.com/eFjU4DZ7xo
The “polar blast to kick off winter” was thanks to cold southerlies over the next few days, MetService forecaster Devlin Lyden said.
“The wind will be coming from deep in the polar region ... combined with some cloudy conditions and precipitation is going to result in low snow levels, cold temperatures and snow showers about the place.”
🟡🟠🟡
— MetService (@MetService) June 5, 2025
The latest Watches and Warnings are out, with heavy snow and strong winds on the way ❄️💨
Snow could make travel tricky and may also have an impact on rural communities and farmers
Head to https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5 for full details pic.twitter.com/uo0jcs16Q7
A heavy snow warning has been issued for inland Canterbury, from Rakaia River south, from 3pm today to 6am tomorrow, according to MetService’s updated weather warnings and watches this morning.
“Expect 15 to 20cm of snow to settle above 500m, with lesser amounts down to 300m.
“Travel disruption and damage to trees and powerlines are possible. Cold conditions may cause stress for livestock.”
Inland areas of Canterbury and Marlborough, between the Rakaia River and Ward, are under a heavy snow watch from 4pm today to 9am tomorrow, with heavy falls possible above 400m.
Central Otago, including Queenstown Lakes District, is also under a watch for heavy snow from around 2pm until 10pm today.
Snow could fall to 300m in Central Otago, and 600m in Queenstown Lakes District.
Residents should prepare for possible power outages and be prepared for disruption on roads, MetService said.
“If you must travel, drive cautiously, and ensure you have snow chains, sleeping bags, warm clothing and emergency items.”
Multiple road snowfall warnings have been issued, including for the Crown Range Rd between Queenstown and Wānaka, Milford Rd (SH94), SH1 between Dunedin and Waitati, the Lindis Pass (SH6), and Haast Pass (SH6) for this afternoon and evening.
Motorists are also being warned of snowfalls expected in the Lewis Pass (SH7), Arthur’s Pass (SH73) and Porters Pass (SH73) from late afternoon today and into tomorrow morning.
And in Westland District, a watch is out for strong southeast winds approaching severe gale-force in exposed places overnight from 6pm today.
Temperatures are also plummeting across much of the South Island, with some parts falling below 0C last night, and even North Islanders in for a brisk wake-up tomorrow.
Lows dipped to -6C in Twizel, -4C in Dunedin, -2C in Queenstown and -1C in Wānaka, Invercargill and Christchurch early today, a MetService spokeswoman said.
The chilly start prompted police to warn motorists to “take extreme care” on southern roads this morning after black ice had formed on some Southland roads and snow was forecast for Otago.
“Police have already attended one black ice-related crash this morning and are aware of another.
“Thankfully, no one has been injured, but we want to ensure everyone gets to their destination safely.”
And while northern areas were comparatively toasty this morning – Wellington recorded a low of 9C and Auckland, 11C – colder temperatures loomed for all.
⚡ Lightning activity detected!
— MetService (@MetService) June 5, 2025
Our lightning detector network picks up strikes within thunderstorms (big or small) & overlays them on radar imagery, helping identify active storm.
Now, red/orange rings around the Kaikōura coast & Hicks Bay show where lightning is striking. ⚡🌩️ pic.twitter.com/kxilkDnjOu
Most people could expect sunny weather today after wind and rain caused disruption in parts of the country yesterday, MetService head of news Heather Keats told Ryan Bridge on Herald NOW this morning.
There were still showers across a large swathe of the North Island and parts of the South Island early today, with lightning detected around the Kaikōura coast and East Cape.
Once that cleared this morning, most Kiwis would enjoy a blue-sky day, Keats said.
“[But] another low out to the east will redirect the flow to pretty much direct southerly.
“We are going to have biting cold temperatures, below average temperatures [tomorrow].”
Wānaka was expected to dip to -5C and even Aucklanders would feel the chill, with a low of 6C forecast overnight.
“In Gisborne, it’s 21C today, 12C tomorrow.”
❄️Frosty morning incoming!
— MetService (@MetService) June 6, 2025
Cold air is sticking around overnight and into tomorrow, with minimum temperatures near or below freezing in many places. Even daytime highs will struggle to climb out of the single digits! 🥶
Check your local forecast at 👉https://t.co/Yjbq0jgaoz pic.twitter.com/shy0k4kv3Y
Wānaka was forecast to be the coldest part of the country over the next three days, said Lyden.
“Low temperatures on Saturday of -3C, lows on Sunday down to -6C and Monday morning -5C.
“The high temperatures are also going to be very low. Saturday is looking at a high temperature of 3C and Sunday is looking at a high temperature of 2C.”
According to MetService forecasts, Queenstown will reach a high of only 6C today and a low of -2C, and tomorrow a high of 4C and a low of -4C.
Invercargill will hit a high of 7C and a low of 0C today, while Christchurch will reach only 8C today and fall to a low of 2C.