Auckland's coldest night of the year could be this weekend

While the week has been growing steadily colder, this weekend temperatures overnight in Auckland could be colder than the bitter snap in June. Photo / Greg Bowker

The blast of polar air that pelted parts of the North Island with snow this week has started easing off - but Aucklanders are still in for the coldest night of the year this weekend.

Forecasters say much of the country will continue to shiver through single-digit lows despite the icy Antarctic weather system easing off today and tomorrow.

A ridge of high pressure moving across from the Tasman Sea should bring drier and sunnier conditions - but light winds and clear skies overnight will lead to more cold mornings across New Zealand.

In Auckland, weekend temperatures overnight could be colder than the bitter snap in June.

MetService meteorologist Rob Kerr said the coldest night of the year in Auckland was on June 24, when -1C was recorded in Ardmore and the airport recorded 3C.

"We could see those numbers beaten this weekend," he said.Early on Saturday morning, the mercury could dip to 3C in the city - but it could get even colder in other areas, with a low of 1C expected in Pukekohe.

Mr Kerr said such temperatures were "not every year, but not uncommon"."It's cold, but it's not breaking any records. We don't see it every year, but if we look at it over a five-year or a 10-year period we do see it."

The cold blast brought more snow to the central and lower North Island today, closing roads in a number of regions.

Wellington's hill suburbs got a light dusting of snow, while parts of the Hawkes Bay and East Cape were pelted with heavy snow falls.

Mr Kerr said the snow in the capital was a sign of the cold winter.

"When we get snow in the Wellington hills, that means the east coast of the North Island can expect a dusting," Mr Kerr said.

The snowfall had been significant, but not in the same books as the dumping in June.

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Mount Lyford in North Canterbury received 50cm of snow, Hanmer Springs received 35cm, and Coronet Peak received 15-25cm.

In the North Island, Whakapapa received 10cm of new snow and Turoa received 20cm - just in time for what is shaping up to be a fantastic school holiday weekend at the skifields.

Transport authorities and police are continuing to warn motorists to be careful in the wintry conditions.

Snow and ice closed the Desert Road between Taihape and Waiouru tonight, as well as SH4 north of the Tohunga Junction toward National Park and SH49 to Ohakune.

"Motorists are urged to to delay all travel on Central North Island roads. Conditions for driving are poor and risky with snow falling and icy roads developing," police said.

Snow earlier today also closed State Highway 2 between Gisborne and Wairoa.

WEEKEND FORECAST
Auckland: Fine with southerlies easing to light winds as the weekend progresses. Low 3C (Sat), high 12C (Sat/Sun)
Hamilton: Fine, winds easing but frosts getting through the weekend. Low -3C (Sat), high 12C (Sun)
Tauranga: Fine, possible morning frosts with southerlies easing. Low 2C (Fri), high 13C (Sun)
Wellington: Showers and fine spells, with strong southerlies easing through the weekend. Low 5C (Sat/Sun), high 10C (Sat/Sun)
Christchurch: Showers clear, southerlies dying out but northerlies develop by Sunday. Severe frosts. Low -4C (Fri/Sat/Sun), high 9C (Sat/Sun)