Here's looking at you snow: A view from Hardinge Rd, Ahuriri. Photo / Warren Buckland
Here's looking at you snow: A view from Hardinge Rd, Ahuriri. Photo / Warren Buckland
It's time to chill, literally.
After a chaotic week of weather that has seen flooding in northern Hawke's Bay, heavy snow on the ranges, and persistent icy winds, things are finally set to calm down.
In its place will be a standard winter frost.
"Settled weather" was the way MetService Angus Hines has described the weekend ahead, to cries of delight from those who've had to work outside this week.
On Thursday the region had it all - snow, rain and wind, though it didn't end up as strong as the 120km/h forecast for parts of the region.
Heavy snow closed the Napier-Taihape Rd for the whole day (as at 4pm Thursday), but snow warnings were gradually lifted as little to none fell on the Napier-Taupo Rd.
The Napier-Taihape Rd on Wednesday night. Photo / Rangitikei Council
MetService was not expecting any further significant accumulation.
Hines said as of 3.30pm the gusty southerlies had reached 72km/h in Napier, and 68km/h in Wairoa, not galeforce but strong enough to force a seal to seek cover under a council car in Mahia.
The wind gauge in Hastings was broken, so Hines said the wind speed could not be measured, but residents did not report significant gusts.
A seal taking cover from the rain and the wind in Mahia. Photo / Wairoa District Council
Hines said the region had seen the last of the snow, for the week.
Rain was expected to clear on Friday with overnight temperatures dropping to 0C in Napier on Friday night, Saturday morning, 0C in Wairoa, and -1C in Hastings.
"On Friday, while the region will see the coldest night of the week, there is still no snow forecast."
The high on Friday was expected to be 13C in Napier and Hastings, and 12C in Wairoa.
Hines said the cold winds, and showers were going to ease off.
"Saturday will be a sunny day after a cold, and frosty morning, but there is a possibility of showers on Sunday night."
Napier and Hastings were expected to have highs of 14C in Hastings, Napier and Wairoa on Saturday.
The overnight lows were expected to be 7C in Wairoa, 5C in Napier and 4C in Hastings on Saturday.
