The cold is continuing across New Zealand this afternoon as a high to the west and a low to the east work together to dredge up Antarctic southerlies over New Zealand.

Gloomy skies returned to Auckland and combined with sou’westers they’ve kept the city around 11 degrees for much of today, briefly lifting to 12 last hour.

Hamilton also has 11 degrees.

Strong southerlies in Wellington have started to ease but are still fairly ‘solid’ averaging over 40km/h and gusting to 60.  It’s currently just 9 degrees.

Christchurch is warmer than yesterday on 8 degrees with fresh sou’westers blowing.

And in Dunedin it’s only 7 with prefrontal cloud returning.

Queenstown is the coldest centre on just 3 degrees this hour and Akaroa on 4.

In Waiouru it’s just 2 degrees with sleet and snow showers in the area – possibly affecting the Desert road.