Bitingly cold for now, but sunny days ahead

Wind surfers enjoy strong, cool winds off Pt Chevalier, Auckland, yesterday. Picture / Greg Bowker

Winter appears reluctant to relax its icy grip with more freezing weather forecast for much of the country today.

A cold front that swept up the country over the weekend bringing snow to the lower South Island has been followed by an unsettled low pressure system expected to bring polar air to most places until at least tomorrow afternoon.

The cold west to southwest showery flow is expected to reach the central North Island around lunchtime.

Strong winds and plummeting temperatures closed Mt Ruapehu's skifields all day yesterday although a sunny spell on Saturday meant competitors in the North Island snowboard championships got a few runs in before the bad weather arrived.

"It's been a pretty miserable sort of a day," said Ruapehu Alpine Lifts marketing manager Mike Smith.

"Very showery and blustery, almost blizzard conditions."

Police were urging caution on the Desert Road yesterday because of ice patches and there was a strong possibility it would be closed today, with snow forecast to fall to 800m between Taihape and Tongariro National Park.

Auckland was battered by strong, cool westerlies in the afternoon with 93km/h recorded at Manukau Heads at 2pm and 60km/h at the airport.

The wind meant it felt much colder than the official 13C high.

"The wind chill meant it would have been about 5C", said MetService forecaster Peter Little.

"It's been a heck of a winter and it doesn't seem to want to let go yet."

Wellington escaped the worst of the weather, with a fine and sunny day yesterday, but that's expected to change today, with a cold southerly blast, possibly with some hail, arriving by midday.

"We will be getting it tomorrow, with a cold front knocking on the door just after lunch and things really deteriorating in the afternoon," Mr Little said.

Buller and Westport were hit by thunderstorms yesterday evening and those could move into Taranaki today.

Queenstown had snow flurries yesterday and the Dunedin Hills were forecast to get some snow overnight last night. South Island roads remained marginal with police urging motorists to drive carefully.

Canterbury, Otago and Southland were forecast to get another dumping of snow this morning, lowering to 300m.

Wind, showers and rain are expected to ease from tomorrow afternoon or evening as a high pressure system moves over the country from the Tasman Sea and hangs around for most of the week.

Although sunny days are on their way, don't expect balmy weather just yet.