Mercury plunges to -12.5C in Lake Tekapo on NZ's coldest night
New Zealand experienced its coldest night of the year, with Lake Tekapo recording a low of -12.5C. Meteorologists expect warmer air to arrive later in the week, though western regions will remain unsettled with potential for rain and wind.
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Extreme weather events impact local infrastructure and agricultural planning, necessitating public awareness of meteorological forecasts.
<p>Many parts of New Zealand recorded their coldest night of the year so far in the early hours of this morning, with the lowest air temperature nationally recorded at Lake Tekapo, dropping to -12.5C.</p> <p>MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley said spots recording their coldest night of the year included Auckland Airport (2.5C), Christchurch Airport (-3.8C), Taupo Airport (-4.2C) and Mount Cook Airport (-11.5C).</p> <p>In the North Island, temperatures fell as low as -6.2C around the central plateau, Pawley said.</p> <p>Sub-zero air temperatures were recorded as far north as Auckland, and Pawley said inland parts of Northland likely also had a frosty start.
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