Another chilly night across the country
Wednesday, 8 June 2016
Vehicles have been sliding off roads due to icy conditions thanks to a clear cold night across most of the country.
Temperatures of -7 degrees Celsius at Dunedin Airport led to delays to both inbound and outbound flights.
A little bit cold at #Dunedin Airport this morning. -7 degrees! More observations here https://t.co/Enn3GIPCis ^SG pic.twitter.com/LNuYoDGu0h
— MetService (@MetService) June 7, 2016
Police have warned motorists to take extra care and watch their speed following a spate of incidents in the Greymouth area.
Meanwhile, a Dunedin city councillor is in hospital after his car spun out after hitting black ice in Christchurch.
There had also been other incidents involving icy roads across the country during the past few days, possibly contributing to the high Queen's Birthday weekend road toll.
**READ MORE:
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* Fine day for most New Zealanders but rain's on its way in the north**
MetService meteorologist Chelsea Glue said the clear skies and cold temperatures were to blame for icy roads.
'Those are the conditions you need for black ice.'
Kiwis across the country would have been clinging to their hot water bottles again on Tuesday night, with temperatures dropping well-below freezing.
@MetService Well here is Trilobite Hut in the Cobb at 10:45am two days ago -5C, triple brr! pic.twitter.com/oQ5jSgkMSI
— Colin Jackson (@ThisCJ) June 7, 2016
Mt Cook got down to -6.1 degrees Celsius, with Dunedin city and Queenstown not far behind on -5.8C and -4.8C respectively.
Christchurch also dropped just below freezing to -0.4C, as did Masterton.
The capital also got off to a chilly start, with a low of 2.5C in Lower Hutt on Wednesday morning.
Striking colours on my morning commute at dawn this morning #Dawn #Dunedinisgreat pic.twitter.com/bX1qX1bZu8
— Ian Griffin (@iangriffin) June 7, 2016
Glue said a front was moving in from the west but it was spreading slowly, meaning the east of the country was in for another decent day on Wednesday.
'Generally, conditions will be degrading today, with rain developing in the west.'
Auckland was in for some cloudy periods, with patches of drizzle and strong north-easterlies.
That drizzle was expected to turn to rain overnight, Glue said.
Auckland was in for a high of 18C on Wednesday.
Cloud increasing for most areas on Wednesday as the front approaches from the west. https://t.co/Yjbq0jxdqz pic.twitter.com/uMiKSAxip9
— MetService (@MetService) June 7, 2016
Waikato would experience cloudy periods on Wednesday, with a high of 17C.
Meanwhile, Wellington would have another mainly fine day after a frosty start for some areas in the region.
High cloud would be developing in the capital, with a high of 15C.
Perfect winter's morning 😍 pic.twitter.com/ViUmxtuNne
— Jude Adamson (@smalljude) June 6, 2016
Christchurch would be mostly sunny, with north-easterly winds.
The city also got off to a frosty start on Wednesday but was expected to push towards a high of 14C.
Dunedin was looking much the same, with high cloud developing.
Let's take another look at the frost at #Dunedin Airport at 8am. Brrr! Forecast here https://t.co/zkGOgHjmCZ ^SG pic.twitter.com/vH5oEwLh8W
— MetService (@MetService) June 7, 2016