Hawke's Bay could be the place to be with more blue skies predicted for tomorrow. Although there is a chance of snow in the higher regions of Hawke's Bay. Photo/Glenn Taylor
The big chill is on the way but Hawke's Bay could be the place to be says MetService meteorologist Mark Todd.
A cold southwesterly flow is expected to cover most of the country with snow forecast tonight down to about 700m.
However, Mr Todd said it wasn't all doom and gloom for the region.
"The good news for you guys is Gisborne and the Hawke's Bay are pretty much just about the best places to be for the next few days.
"Although this very cold southwesterly is covering the whole of the country, you guys up there in the northeast are the most sheltered of everyone."
Mr Todd said the Desert Road had a light fall of snow yesterday but it wasn't enough to close the road. However, it wasn't cold enough in the Bay for snow to fall yesterday.
"In terms of showers and rain or other horrible things like that, falling out of the sky, you guys are really not in the way there to get it.
"For tomorrow, it's going to be mostly a fine day. There may be one or two showers about the Mahia Peninsula. But really that's about all."
WeatherWatch.co.nz forecaster Philip Duncan told Hawke's Bay Today there was a possibility of snow in the higher parts of the Napier/Taupo Highway.
"We are going to see the lowest temperatures moving into the North Island [today]. That will mean temperatures dropping a little bit further than [yesterday]. So there is a bit more of winter to come yet. We are going to get snow tonight down to about 700m," Mr Duncan said.
"That will affect the Desert Road and may affect the top of the Napier/Taupo Highway as well and possibly the road over to Taihape. So just all those high roads out of Hawke's Bay."
Mr Duncan said he wasn't sure how heavy the snowfall would be.
The Metservice said Hawke's Bay could expect temperatures to be about 11C to 13C tomorrow, with the odd shower.
"The weekend is looking a little bit tricky so people should keep an eye on the forecast."