Firefighters battle large blaze in Penrose.
Russia strikes Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
National MP calls for police crackdown on 'antisocial behaviour'.
Video / NZ Herald
Parts of New Zealand awoke today to the coldest day so far this year.
Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch all had their coldest mornings at 4.5C, 2.9C and -2.8C.
The alpine village of Aoraki/Mt Cook is recording a temperature of -10C and locals say the area got as low as -13Covernight.
The forecast high there for Sunday is just 1C - New Zealand’s coldest town today.
Mackenzie District Council has warned of “treacherous” road conditions after a severe frost, and has recommended limiting travel until conditions improve.
The resort town of Tekapo was among the coldest spots in the country on Sunday morning at -6C, following days of snow and icy conditions that have closed roads and trapped visitors as State Highway 8 from Fairlie to Twizel remains closed because of snow and ice.
MetService's map shows just how cold it is around the country this morning. Photo / Supplied
MetService meteorologist Surprise Mhlongo couldn’t confirm that it is New Zealand’s coldest day of the year so far, but told Newstalk ZB that it was “likely”.
“I’ll have to dig into some data for that,” Mhlongo said.
The polar blast has delivered fresh snow to the South Island’s skifields, with Mt Hutt reporting 90cm. Cardrona also had a fresh dumping ahead of its opening next weekend.
Queenstown, Wānaka and Invercargill were also sub-zero this morning, with rain moving north on the eastern side of the South Island.
Tekapo residents woke to a dumping of snow this week. Photograph / George Heard
Mhlongo says snow down to 300-400 metres was possible for Christchurch’s Port Hills and Banks Peninsula.
Further north, Blenheim also woke to severe frosts with -2C.
Taumarunui and Taupō dropped below zero this morning – the coolest in the North Island.
Wellington was under a heavy swell warning, while the Chatham Islands can expect strong winds.
