<\/p>\n
\nStrong winds are blowing snow onto the closed section of State Highway 87, near Clarks Junction.
\nPhoto: Supplied\/Transport Agency\n<\/p>\n
The second month of spring began with a “bitter night” in the south as “freezing conditions” descended across the island, MetService said on Wednesday morning.<\/p>\n
The coldest temperatures were found in Southland, with Manapouri’s -1.5C the lowest. Methven was not far behind on 0.3C.<\/p>\n
Other places, including Alexandra and Timaru, got down to 1C above freezing, while Dunedin, Oamaru and Queenstown dropped to about 2C.<\/p>\n
There were road snowfall warnings for a few regions, with the forecaster urging drivers to “take care”.<\/p>\n
As of 10.30am, Leith Saddle in Dunedin was still a chilling 1.2C.<\/p>\n
“Tonight, however, will be a colder night for many spots with places like Te Anau and Alexandra set to drop to -3C and even Christchurch set to drop down to -1C,” meteorologist John Law told RNZ.<\/p>\n
“The cold air will be making its way northwards and even parts of the lower North Island will drop down cold enough for a touch of frost.”<\/p>\n
A road snowfall warning in place for Lewis Pass (SH7) said rain could “turn to snow for a time” on Wednesday morning, with up to 2-4cm near the summit and lesser amounts down to 400m.<\/p>\n
Similar amounts were expected at Porters Pass (SH73), while about 1cm may accumulate at heights near Arthur’s Pass (SH73).<\/p>\n
“Cold air spreads back up the country over the next few days,” a forecaster said in a MetService video update, explaining a band of cloud would bring some wet and windy weather to the south in the morning and the north later Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Some locations on Wednesday were unlikely to reach double-digits on Wednesday, including Invercargill (a high of 8C) and Queenstown (9C).<\/p>\n
Places Ashburton and north should enjoy temperatures of at least 11C.<\/p>\n
“Cold night coming up\u2026 back down towards freezing,” he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nStrong winds are blowing snow onto the closed section of State Highway 87, near Clarks Junction.
\nPhoto: Supplied\/Transport Agency\n<\/p>\n
It was likely a different story up north, with Auckland expecting 18C and Whang\u0101rei 19C.<\/p>\n
There was snow on the Crown Ranges overnight.<\/p>\n
Heavy snow also closed two highways in Otago however, they have since re-opened.<\/p>\n
State Highway 87 from Middlemarch to Outram and State Highway 85 between Morrisons and Kyeburn were closed for several hours as strong winds blew more snow onto the roads.<\/p>\n
The Transport Agency is urging motorists to take extra care when driving in the area.<\/p>\n
FINAL UPDATE 12:25PM
SH85 between Morrisons and Kyeburn and SH87 between Middlemarch and Outram are now OPEN. https:\/\/t.co\/sQUgEnOvrU<\/a><\/p>\n