White said it was short of the city’s all-time August record of -6.5C recorded in 1975.
He said Wairoa reached -1.9C on Friday morning, while Mahia was comparably balmy at 3.5C.
At the same time, Hastings dropped to -3.4C, Waipukurau hit -3.6C and Dannevirke -3.2C.
“Very icy,” White said.
“Generally, anything below -3C, you’re getting in that severe frost kind of area.”
Frost seen from Te Aute Rd looking toward Mt Erin. Photo / Anne Bishop
A police spokeswoman said a vehicle left the road on State Highway 2 near Tangoio around 8.30am on Friday following reports of black ice in the area.
A Hato Hone St John spokeswoman said ambulance staff transported one patient in a serious condition to Hawke’s Bay Hospital from the scene.
White said a welcome change in the weather was to come through to Hawke’s Bay from Friday, with clear conditions and temperatures ranging from 12C to 13C.
However, the frosty feeling would remain through Friday night into Saturday morning with lows of 0C for Napier and 1C for Hastings.
On Saturday, White said there could be cloud, but temperatures should feel warmer.
Wairoa could expect northwesterlies with a high of 16C and a low of 4C.
Mahia could expect similar conditions with a high of 13C and a low of 7C.
Fine conditions were expected in Napier for the Magpies’ first home game of the season against Tasman, with westerlies turning northerly in the morning, a high of 15C and a low of 6C.
Temperatures for the game at 7pm were expected to be around 9C.
Similar conditions were expected in Hastings with a high of 15C and a low of 4C.
Partly cloudy in Waipukurau with northwesterlies, a high of 15C and a low of 3C.
Similar conditions were expected in Dannevirke, with northwesterlies dying out for a time in the afternoon, a high of 14C and a low of 3C.
On Sunday, a front was expected to cross the North Island, potentially bringing periods of rain to Hawke’s Bay.
“As well as some warmer temperatures,” White said.
Wairoa could expect partly cloudy conditions with a few showers developing in the afternoon and northerlies, a high of 16C and a low of 7C.
Similar conditions in Mahia with a high of 14C and a low of 9C.
Partly cloudy in Napier with a chance of an afternoon shower, northeasterlies, a high of 16C and a low of 7C.
Similar conditions in Hastings with a high of 16C and a low of 6C.
Showers were also expected in the afternoon for Waipukurau with a high of 15C and a low of 5C.
Dannevirke looked to be cloudy with occasional rain from the afternoon, northerlies, a high of 14C and a low of 6C.
Jack Riddell is a multimedia journalist with Hawke’s Bay Today and has worked in radio and media in the UK, Germany, and New Zealand.