Freezing start ahead of big snow dump
File photo
Kiwis are waking to freezing temperatures in some places ahead of a wintry blast expected to bring heavy snow to parts of the South Island.
At 7am, MetService's website showed Mosgiel as officially the coldest centre in the country, on -5C. Alexandra was on -2.5C, and Queenstown -1C.
Dunedin was on 3C, only one degree less than the warmest places in the South Island - Nelson and Westport on 4C.
Non-official weather station data on the MetService site showed -7C at Tekapo, and both the Central Otago District Council and the Queenstown Lakes District Council said temperatures of -6C had been recorded.
The chill comes amid a raft of weather alerts.
An orange heavy snow warning has been issued for Central Otago and inland Canterbury, from the Rangitata River southwards from noon to midnight on Friday.
MetService says to expect 10 to 20 cm of snow to settle above 500 metres, with lesser amounts down to 300 metres.
A heavy snow watch is also in place for the Queenstown Lakes District, from 11am to 9pm today.
The forecaster said the snow could disrupt travel and cause damage to trees and powerlines. It urged people to prepare for freezing temperatures and possible power outages.
"If you must travel, drive cautiously, and ensure you have snow chains, sleeping bags, warm clothing, and emergency items."
Road snowfall warnings are in place for Dunedin's Northern Motorway (SH1) from noon to 11pm on Friday, the Crown Range Road from noon to Friday evening, Haast Pass (SH6) from 6am to midnight Friday, Lindis Pass (SH8) from 1pm to midnight Friday, Lewis Pass (SH7) from 4pm on Friday to 11am Saturday, Arthur's Pass (SH73) from 3pm Friday to 7am Saturday, Porters Pass (SH73) from 2pm Friday to 9am Saturday.
- APL
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