Polar blast brings snow, record cold and road closures across New Zealand
An Antarctic cold snap has brought heavy snow, record-breaking temperatures, road closures and ferry cancellations to New Zealand this week.
A polar blast swept across New Zealand bringing heavy snow to low levels in the South Island, closing major highways and ferry services. Temperatures plunged to near-record lows, with Mount Cook dropping to -10C and widespread frosts across both islands. The extreme cold drove electricity demand to record levels as the country surged power use to cope with heating needs.
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Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.
What outlets are saying
Newstalk ZB
Auckland Harbour Bridge may close intermittently as icy blast brings snow and frost across NZ
Motorists are being warned that strong, sudden winds could close the Auckland Harbour Bridge intermittently tomorrow, as a polar blast brings wind, frost and snow to other parts of New Zealand.
Stuff
Freezing Antarctic blast to plunge parts of NZ below zero
The Antarctic blast will last until Wednesday – with many parts of NZ falling below zero overnight.
NZ Herald
NZ weather: Temperatures to plunge to -9C for one town as bitter frosts bite from Auckland south
Motorists are encouraged to watch out for dangerous black ice.
RNZ
Weather: Freezing start the day, temperatures plummet to -7C in the south
The frosty start to the week is set to continue for a few more days.
1News
'Wrap up warm' as temperatures plummet across NZ
MetService said many places recorded their coldest temperatures of the year so far this morning, particularly across the North Island.
NZ Herald
Weather: Coldest temperatures of the year felt across North Island, parts plunging well below zero
Hamilton hit -2.8C and Taupō dropped to -5.6C.
Newstalk ZB
Weather: Coldest temperatures of the year felt across North Island, parts plunging well below zero
Cities and towns across the North Island awoke to their coldest temperatures of the year this morning.
1News
Weather: Cold snap to linger after temperatures plunge to yearly lows
MetService said much of the country could expect another frosty start tomorrow, after many centres recorded their coldest temperatures of the year today.
1News
Another cold and frosty start to the day, as one spot records -7C
Meteorologist John Law told Breakfast said some areas in the North Island overnight recorded their coldest night of the year.
Stuff
Kiwis shiver through another subzero morning, more cold on the way
Frosts will come back at the weekend, Metservice says.
Newstalk ZB
Aucklanders wake to freezing temperatures as several west, south suburbs record -1C
Parts of Auckland are recording one of the coldest mornings of winter, with sheltered suburbs dropping below freezing overnight.
NZ Herald
New Zealand weather: Thunderstorms and heavy rain loom before cold snap
A southerly blast is set to leave Wellington and Christchurch reaching 8C or 9C.
Newstalk ZB
New Zealand weather: Thunderstorms and heavy rain loom before cold snap
Thunderstorms, heavy rain and blustery winds are set to sweep across the nation from tomorrow before a shivery Southern Ocean surge brings back bitter winter conditions.
NZ Herald
Weather forecast: Heavy rain, thunderstorms before winter chill returns
MetService says heavy rain is expected to reach Auckland overnight tonight.
Newstalk ZB
Weather forecast: Heavy rain, thunderstorms before winter chill returns
Kiwis can expect only a brief break from the recent run of frosty mornings, with thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds sweeping up the country today.
Otago Daily Times
Heavy snow, severe gales on way for parts of South Is
Stuff
Freezing southerly blast to dump low-level snow and batter NZ
The brief respite from the cold is over.
NZ Herald
MetService warns of ‘bitter’ cold, snow and strong winds across South Island
Snow could fall to 200m in the South Island, disrupting travel.
RNZ
Weekend weather: Snow warnings and strong wind watches as chilly days ahead
MetService says subantarctic air was being dragged north, resulting in "bitterly cold conditions".
1News
Thunderstorms 'pinging' as bitter cold forecast for South Island
Meteorologist John Law told Breakfast conditions would turn "bitterly cold" for the South Island due to a combination of very cold air and strong winds.
Stuff
Brace for bitter cold as snow and gale-force winds hit
Snow is forecast to fall as low as 200 metres while strong southerly winds of up to 100km/h create dangerous conditions across much of the South Island.
Stuff
Cook Strait warning as cold front brings swells, freezing temps across NZ
Northland could see frosts after Cook Strait hit with big swells.
Stuff
Thunderstorms and hail possible for upper North Island
Rain and showers were moving northwest over the North Island and the top of the south on Friday.
Stuff
Coldest mornings of the year to follow wintry blast
Snow could fall to low levels in the east before clear skies bring widespread frosts and temperatures up to 10C below average.
NZ Herald
Coldest day of the year forecast as snow reaches towns in the south
Road snowfall warnings cover four key routes as snow levels drop.
RNZ
MetService warns motorists of snow on roads
Meanwhile, all ferry sailings in the Cook Strait for Tuesday have been cancelled due to forecast large swells.
NZ Herald
Polar blast brings low-level snow, road closures and ferry cancellations
Heavy snow has closed part of SH1, while four Interislander sailings have been cancelled.
Stuff
Snow, icy roads and cancelled ferries: Winter blast hits
Snow could fall to low levels in the east before clear skies bring widespread frosts and temperatures up to 10C below average.
1News
Wintry blast closes Dunedin state highways as cold snap bites
Heavy snow has closed the Dunedin to Waitati Highway (State Highway 1), while State Highway 87 is closed from Outram to Middlemarch.
RNZ
Drivers warned about snow on roads in South Island, Cook Strait ferries cancelled
Plunging temperatures have arrived for much of the country, closing major roads.
1News
Wintry blast shuts Otago, Canterbury highways as cold snap bites
Roads in Otago and on Banks Peninsula are closed and Cook Strait ferry sailings cancelled as an Antarctic blast brings snow to low levels.
Stuff
Snow reaches Christchurch as freezing weather moves up the country
Snow could fall to low levels in the east before clear skies bring widespread frosts and temperatures up to 10C below average.
1News
Snow falls in Christchurch, Dunedin as cold snap bites
Roads in Otago and on Banks Peninsula are closed and Cook Strait ferry sailings cancelled as an Antarctic blast brings snow to low levels.
RNZ
Live weather: Drivers warned as snow blankets roads, Cook Strait ferries cancelled
Plunging temperatures have arrived for much of the country, closing major roads.
Otago Daily Times
SH75 closed as snow falls across Canterbury
Stuff
In visuals: Snow blankets parts of NZ as icy blast bites
Dunedin was blanketed in snow, while Christchurch’s Port Hills turned white as a bitter southerly brought wintry showers, hail and icy winds to Wellington.
1News
Cars slide off roads as cold snap brings snow to Christchurch, Dunedin
Roads in Otago and on Banks Peninsula are closed and Cook Strait ferry sailings cancelled as an Antarctic blast brings snow to low levels.
Otago Daily Times
Snow way! Daredevil skies down Baldwin St
1News
People in Dunedin urged to stay off roads 'unless absolutely necessary'
Roads in Otago are closed and Cook Strait ferry sailings cancelled as an Antarctic blast brings snow to low levels.
1News
'Avoid travelling': Dunedin snow closes schools and state highways
Roads in Otago are closed and Cook Strait ferry sailings cancelled as an Antarctic blast brings snow to low levels.
1News
'Avoid travelling': Dunedin snow closes schools and state highways
Roads in Otago are closed and Cook Strait ferry sailings cancelled as an Antarctic blast brings snow to low levels.
1News
Dan Corbett: The cold in this snap is just getting started
1News weather expert Dan Corbett warns of even colder weather to come over the next few days.
1News
Snow closes Dunedin schools and state highways, sleet falls in Wellington
Roads in Otago are closed and Cook Strait ferry sailings cancelled as an Antarctic blast brings snow to low levels.
1News
Snow closes Dunedin schools and state highways, sleet falls in Wellington
Roads in Otago are closed and Cook Strait ferry sailings cancelled as an Antarctic blast brings snow to low levels.
RNZ
Live weather: Wellington could be in for more snow tonight; Dunedin drivers urged to take care
The capital is getting its first snowfall in 15 years, and MetService is warning that Wellington could see more snow tonight.
1News
Sleet and snow hit Wellington, Dunedin police issue ice warning
Dunedin police responded to over 20 crashes today and conditions are likely to be treacherous again tomorrow.
RNZ
Camera captures sudden shift in weather as snow storm blows over Remutaka Ranges
A traffic camera has captured a sudden change in weather at the Remutaka Ranges as snow falls in the lower North Island and blankets the south.
RNZ
Live weather: Wellington could be in for more snow tonight, icy morning expected
The capital got its first snowfall in 15 years, and more ice and snow is expected overnight.
RNZ
Wellington could be in for more snow tonight, icy morning expected
The capital got its first snowfall in 15 years, and more ice and snow is expected overnight.
Stuff
Three places hit -9C as the country woke to a bitterly cold morning
Mount Cook, Twizel and Tekapo were the coldest places on Wednesday morning, as temperatures plunged to about -9C.
RNZ
Transpower issues power warning
Transpower has issued a warning that there might be an energy shortfall on Friday morning.
NZ Herald
Transpower issues power warning amid polar blast
The national grid operator identified a possible shortfall from 7.30am to 8.30am Friday.
NZ Herald
Snow hits rural Gisborne, colder nights forecast ahead
Snow flurries are possible above 500m in Tairāwhiti this morning.
RNZ
More cold weather on the way: 'There's going to be plenty of negative temperatures'
The southerly fronts that brought snow on Tuesday have given way to a ridge of high pressure, bringing still, clear and icy cold conditions.
Otago Daily Times
'There's going to be plenty of negative temperatures'
Stuff
Sub-zero start for much of NZ after Antarctic blast
The country has woken to another bitterly cold morning, with sub-zero temperatures recorded across parts of the country.
Otago Daily Times
Warm and wet in the south as records tumble
NZ Herald
Freezing start across NZ as Mt Cook dips below -9C, winterless north plunges to 0C
MetService says it feels more like -3 in the far north township.
1News
Mount Cook records -10C as sub-zero temps set in – MetService
This morning, MetService meteorologist Maddy Neal told 1News that Mount Cook airport recorded a low of –10C at 6am.
1News
North Island town registers near-record low as cold snap bites
This morning, MetService said Auckland was the coldest it's been since 2021.
RNZ
Auckland's coldest day in five years as power use hits another record
Transpower says another record demand for electricity has been set as cold weather grips the country.
Stuff
Wholesale power prices surge 2500% in freezing morning peak
New Zealand set a new electricity usage record of 7415MW during Thursday's morning peak, breaking Wednesday's previous record.
1News
Cold snap pushes NZ's electricity use to record high for second day
Average electricity demand reached 7415MW during this morning's peak, surpassing yesterday's record of 7247MW.
1News
Temperatures plunge to near-record levels as cold snap digs in
This morning, MetService said Auckland was the coldest it's been since 2021.
NZ Herald
Cold snap drives New Zealand power use to new record
Power use reached a record 7415MW, up from 7247MW the previous morning.
Stuff
36-hour heavy rain watch issued as freezing temps ease off
While temperatures plummeted on Thursday and Friday, the frosty starts are slowing easing off as a front makes its way up the South Island.
1News
'Turned up the heat': Freezing temps drive record power demand
Electricty use skyrocketed in recent weeks as the country plunged into a big winter chill, Transpower says.
Stuff
Heavy rain watches issued, while the country warms up too following the cold snap
Heavy rain watches have been issued for parts of Northland and Bay of Plenty.
RNZ
Warnings issued as heavy rain heads to Bay of Plenty, Northland
Eastern Bay of Plenty has an orange heavy rain warning in place from Sunday afternoon.
Stuff
‘Wet and miserable’ Sunday with one heavy rain warning, but warmer weather on the way
Most of the country will see a reprieve form the cold snap that enveloped NZ last week.
NZ Herald
Weather: Orange heavy rain warning for Eastern Bay of Plenty, up to 90mm forecast
Up to 90mm of rain is forecast for the region today.
Stuff
Clear the gutters, heavy rain on the way for Auckland
It might be worth giving the gutters a quick once-over tonight, with heavy rain and possible downpours heading for Auckland and Northland on Wednesday.