The morning after the shortest day of the year might just be one of the coldest, as parts of the country dropped well below zero - cold enough to cancel trains in Wellington.
Yesterday was the Southern Hemisphere winter solstice, the day with the shortest period of sunlight and longest night of the year.
Parts of the South Island dropped to -6C overnight, and the central North Island shivered around 0C and the early negatives. Even Auckland dropped into the low single figures overnight and temperatures ranging from 4C to 5C.
The coldest temperatures were recorded at Mt Cook Village and Lake Pukaki Airport in the central South Island which both hit -6C, MetService meteorologist Micky Malivuk said.
Sunshine is on the cards for most places tomorrow. However, the clearing skies also mean that overnight temperatures will be cold with morning frosts in many places. Here is the frost risk for tomorrow morning. Check your forecast at https://t.co/Yjbq0jxdqz ^SG pic.twitter.com/IeRFVWQpxp
— MetService (@MetService) June 21, 2018
Christchurch was the coldest of the main centres at -4C.
And in Wellington, ice on the overhead lines is causing train delays and cancellations and temperatures plummeted to -3C in Upper Hutt at 6.20am, and -2C on the Kapiti Coast.
Due to ice on the overheads this morning, some services across Kapiti and Hutt Valley lines have been cancelled. https://t.co/KcF72sPodA
— Metlink Wellington (@metlinkwgtn) June 21, 2018
ALL: Please take extra care when walking on the platforms this morning as we have had reports of some icy conditions. Stay warm!
— Metlink Wellington (@metlinkwgtn) June 21, 2018
Metservice meteorologist Melissa Oosterwijk said the freezing temperatures are thanks to the clear skies.
She said cloud has been hanging over the region for most of the month keeping the warmer air in, but today the cloud has lifted allowing the ground to cool and dew to turn to frost
The shortest day of the year means the longest night and, with a view like this, we’re not complaining... #WinterSolstice pic.twitter.com/xEGuzLTQnD
— Air New Zealand✈️ (@FlyAirNZ) June 21, 2018
Yesterday's heavy rain in the Far North has eased this morning to light showers, and should fully clear later today, Malivuk said.
Parts of Northland and the Far North received a drenching over the past two days, some areas recording well above the monthly average in just 48 hours.
Happy Southern Hemisphere winter solstice! 👏
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) June 21, 2018
From 10:07 PM NZST, we began the 6 month climb back toward summer & peak daylight 🔆 pic.twitter.com/qGzZfpdm4A
Whangārei recorded 176mm, well above the June average of 126mm.
The rest of the country was in for a relatively fine day today, as a ridge of high pressure extended across both main islands.
"There will be some cold temperatures and frosts in places at first, but most areas should warm up to blue skies and nice day," Malivuk said.
"Some other areas will be waking up to a bit of low cloud and fog, but that should burn off this morning for a fine day too."
How's your Friday looking?
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) June 21, 2018
🔆 Brighter skies ahead!
🔆 Chilly! A frosty start for some.
🔆 A mostly dry day. pic.twitter.com/3NDeeTXyyx
Cool temperatures were also forecast for tomorrow, preceding a front scheduled to arrive in the South Island during the morning.
Showers were forecast from the front across the West Coast, spreading up the North Island during the afternoon, bringing showers to most western areas.
On Sunday another front was expected to move east onto the west of the South Island.
Heavy rain was forecast about Fiordland and Westland.
Following closely behind the front would be a cold air mass, with embedded troughs, bringing frequent showers to southern and western areas.
Snow was expected to low levels in Southland and parts of Otago.
Fine apart from a few showers before dawn. Southerly breezes. 14C high, 5C overnight.
Fine, but some cloud from afternoon. Southerly breezes. 13C high, 5C overnight.
Fine with morning frosts. Southerly breezes. 12C high, 0C overnight.
Fine. Southerly breezes. 14C high, 3C overnight.
New Plymouth Fine. Evening cloud. Southeasterlies dying out afternoon. 12C high, 4C overnight.
Napier Cloudy periods. A few showers, clearing by afternoon. Southerlies dying out by afternoon. 12C high, 0C overnight.
Wellington Mainly fine with early frosts, then cloud increasing in the evening. Light winds. 10C high, 6C overnight.
Nelson A fine day with early frosts and light winds. 11C high, 2C overnight.
Christchurch A fine day with early frosts and light winds. 8C high, -3C overnight.
Dunedin Areas of low cloud or fog, clearing to fine in the afternoon. Light winds. 9C high, 3C overnight.