Weather: Freezing start the day, temperatures plummet to -7C in the south
New Zealand is experiencing a severe cold snap with temperatures in parts of the South Island dropping as low as -7.5C. Meteorologists expect the freezing conditions to persist through mid-week before a northerly wind pattern brings warmer weather.
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Extreme weather events impact public infrastructure, agriculture, and daily life, necessitating accurate meteorological monitoring.
New Zealanders have had a freezing start to the day with with temperatures in parts of the South Island plunging to -7C, and bitter frosts in many places.
Eight places across the country recorded their coldest temperatures of 2026.
Metservice meteorologist Devlin Lynden said in the north, Taupō hit a chilly -5.1C in the morning, and cold temperatures had spanned across the North Island.
In the South Island, the Mount Cook / Pukaki area registered a freezing -7C .
Shortly after 7am, Twizel was still shivering at -7.5C, the MetService site recorded.
MetService said a number of areas recorded their coldest temperatures of 2026.
It followed a weekend of torrential rain and cold weather for many, with thunderstorms in Wellington and a "river" of water on the city's Tinakori Road.
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