A severe frost may be possible in many parts of Canterbury tomorrow morning after overnight temperatures are expected to dip to -4C, John Law said. (File picture) Photo: Frank Bollen
Many regions have had a chilly start to the day with temperatures dipping into the negatives in Invercargill and Queenstown on.
MetService has forecast an extended run of low temperatures this week, signalling the approach of winter.
The lowest temperature on Thursday morning was at Mosgiel in the South Island where it was -5.3C, while Queenstown and Invercargill were -2C and -1C, respectively.
None of the main centres made double digit temperatures with Auckland at 6C, Tauranga 9C, Hamilton 2C, Wellington 8C, Christchurch 3C and Dunedin 2C.
Overnight temperatures were even colder, with Tekapo dropping to -7.1C.
MetService meteorologist John Law said the southerly change hit Wellington overnight with wet, cloudy weather forecast for the lower half of the North Island on Thursday.
Overnight temperatures will also be cold heading into Friday with a cold and frosty start to the day for many places, he said.
"So after daytime temperatures reaching only about 10C in Christchurch, the following night down to about -3 or -4C, a severe frost possible for many parts of Canterbury."
Auckland was forecast to drop to 1C on Thursday night, which could mean frosts in some areas, MetService said.
Niwa forecast that it was set to be a mainly fine day on Thursday, except for the east coast of the North Island and the north-east of the South Island.
Niwa said the incoming southerly would reinforce the chilly temperatures.
There were overnight snowfall warnings in place for Lewis Pass, Porters Pass and Arthur's Pass but this morning MetService said these had now been lifted as snow showers had cleared.
MetService has issued a heavy swell warning for Turakirae Head to Mataikona in Wairarapa from 10pm Friday until 8pm with waves rising to 5 metres late Friday night.