Arthur’s Pass is also under a road snowfall warning until 5pm tonight, with MetService predicting another 1 to 2cm of snow about the summit snow flurries to 500m.
Finally, Porters Pass is also under a warning, with snow showers expected this afternoon.
An additional 5 to 8cm is forecast to accumulate about the summit, with lesser amounts on lower parts of the road.
MetService meteorologist David Miller told the Herald that warnings like this were to be expected at this time of year.
“I want to make clear that we also have road snow warnings for the central North Island areas for today. So that’s Desert Road and the Napier-Taupō Road.”
He said the Desert Rd warning was in place until the early hours of tomorrow morning.
“Snow could affect those high-level roads in the central North Island area as well, so it’s something to be aware of.”
Miller said those in Auckland could see heavier showers and there was a moderate risk of thunderstorms.
“As we head into tomorrow though Auckland should improve, it should be quite a nice day tomorrow. Any remaining showers should clear before dawn.”
Wellingtonians were in store for similar weather, he said, with showery, southerly flows and rain clearing tomorrow afternoon.
He said Christchurch was going to be “fairly cold” with an overnight low of -1C.
“They’re going to see showers today and those showers should clear up in the morning but then they should return again in the evening so it [is] kind of on again off again.”
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