New Zealand was hit with another cold and frosty start this morning, with parts of the country experiencing temperatures as low as -10C.
More cold weather is expected today but conditions could start to warm over the weekend.
According to MetService, Desert Rd was the coldest place in the country today at a freezing -10.6C.
Twizel was the next coldest at -8C, while Taupo Airport and Taumarunui fell to -7C. Temperatures were slightly warmer further north, with Auckland Airport hitting a low of 1C, but some Aucklanders still woke up to frosty conditions.
However, conditions are expected to remain calm, with MetService meteorologist Braydon White expecting ideal weather for the Warriors fixture against the Penrith Panthers in Auckland tonight.
“Clear skies and light winds mean a banger day for the game,” White said.
“Conditions will still feel a bit chilly once the sun goes down, so be sure to bring a jacket.”
🥶 It's another cold and frosty morning out there 🧊
— MetService NZ (@MetService) August 6, 2026
📉 The desert road was the coldest place in the country today, with a frigid -10.6°C
🥵 Meanwhile Wellington and the Chatham Islands are sweltering as the warmest parts of the country for the second day running. pic.twitter.com/PpiDD1j91J
Warmer and wetter weather is forecast for the weekend, with rain spreading over the South Island tomorrow, with western parts bearing the brunt of it.
The rain will gradually move north, and most of the North Island is expected to experience wet weather at some point on Sunday.
The rain also means warmer and frost-free nights for the North Island, but the South Island is expected to stay cooler, with frosty conditions inland.
Another area of high pressure will then move in, creating mild temperatures on Monday and causing remaining showers to move away, but more rain is expected on Tuesday.
This forecast is a departure from the chilly mornings much of New Zealand felt this week, which included Auckland experiencing its coldest temperatures since July 2021, with readings of 1.5C at the airport and -1.7C at Whenuapai.
Taumarunui recorded its second-coldest temperature of -6.4C, only slightly warmer than the record of -6.8C set in 2010, while Mt Cook Aerodrome was the coldest location in the country at -10.1C. Twizel was the second coldest at -9.4C.
The cold meant Wednesday’s electricity peak was the highest power use ever, according to Transpower, with a warning of a potential energy shortfall today.
The polar blast wreaked havoc with travel plans in parts of the South Island, with police asking people in Dunedin to avoid travelling unless necessary and Wellingtonians also recording snow flurries from their windows.