A “sharp cold front” from the south is set to send temperatures plunging across much of New Zealand as it ushers in a crisp autumn feel.
MetService forecaster David Miller told the Herald the change in weather would begin to move over the South Island later today.
“It will reach the central part of the country about midnight and will continue to spread up the remainder of the country on Friday,” he said.
“Behind the front is going to be a change to cooler south to southwesterlies.”
🥶A sharp cold front Thursday will bring a real cold change to the South Island. Many spots drop to single‑digit temps Friday and Saturday morning, bringing a crisp autumn feel as meteorological summer wraps up.
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) February 25, 2026
Are you ready for the change? pic.twitter.com/yUwz3DA3AV
Miller said South Island centres would see a ”real contrast in temperature” before and after the cold front.
“Christchurch will see a high of 23C ahead of the front. But once the front comes through in the afternoon, the temperatures should drop off,” he said.
“Compare that to Friday, and Christchurch is looking at a high of 16C and a low of 7C.”
According to MetService, Blenheim will reach a high of 28C today but only 17C tomorrow with a low of 9C.
Further south, Dunedin will reach a high of 18C today with a low of 9C but fall to 15C with a low of 8C on Friday.
Miller said the front would move further north late tomorrow.
“The temperature contrast further north for the likes of Auckland, Northland and the Bay of Plenty, we’re not looking at the kind of extreme temperature changes.
“Wellington will have a high of 22C today, contrast that with a high of 17C tomorrow.”
🌦️A sharp front is set to bring some of the coldest air of the year so far to the South Island, while a tropical low lurks north of NZ heading into the weekend.
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) February 24, 2026
Full video is up now on the NIWA site + app. Worth a watch. Cheers! -Chester pic.twitter.com/Er4y4E2FnL
In the top half of the North Island, Auckland is forecast to reach 25C and 26C tomorrow, while Hamilton will reach 25C today and tomorrow.
The chilly temperatures are forecast to continue when another cold front moves up the South Island at the end of the weekend and on Monday.
“The colder temperatures work their way up the South Island and lower North Island during Sunday, and the remainder of the country on Monday,” Miller said.
“We’re looking at some colder temperatures as we come into the start of next week.”
On Monday, Christchurch is forecast to reach a high of 13C and fall to a low of 6C while Queenstown will reach 15C and a low of 5C.
Meanwhile, in the North Island, Auckland is set to reach a high of 22C and Hamilton 20C.
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