Updated 8:44am — A strong cold southwesterly airflow lies over New Zealand today.

A very wintry day on the way for eastern parts of the country today. Overnight where skies are clear and winds drop away expect very frosty conditions, perhaps even right up to inland Northland.

Please refer to your local, hourly, 10 day forecast for more details.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
Morning showers then clearing up in the afternoon and becoming mostly sunny as fresh southwesterlies tend southerly.
Highs: 11-15

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Morning showers, heavy with hail then clearing up this afternoon with increasing sun. About the Manawatu and Central North Island showers continue with snow flurries to 400m, clearing overnight. Cold southerlies ease during the day, dying out overnight.
Highs: 4-11

Eastern North Island
Showers, heavy with hail this morning then gradually easing from afternoon. Snow to 400m, perhaps 300m about the ranges of Wairarapa then slowly lifting from this evening. Showers becoming restricted to the coastal fringe overnight. Cold southwesterlies, strong to gale force on the coast.
Highs: 8-11

Wellington
Showers, heavy this morning with hail. Showers more likely in the east with snow flurries to 300m this morning then lifting from evening. Strong to gale southwesterly winds.
Highs: 7-9

Marlborough & Nelson
Mostly sunny after any morning showers clear, southwesterly winds.
Highs: 9-12

Canterbury
On the coast expect cloudy areas and showers, showers heavy this morning with hail and snow flurries to 100m or perhaps near sea level then gradually lifting during the day. Showers gradually pushing eastwards this afternoon becoming restricted to Banks Peninsula this evening then eventually clearing there. Some sun inland, South Canterbury and inland Mid Canterbury may have a fairly dry day apart from any early clearing showers. Cold southwesterlies, strong to gale force about the coast this morning, dying out at night.
Highs: 8-11

West Coast
Sunny, southerly winds may tend a little more southwest for a time in the afternoon.
Highs: 8-10

Southland & Otago
Mostly cloudy, the odd shower with a few snow flurries to 200m in the morning then lifting. Wintry showers for inland areas mostly clearing up by midday. Cold southwesterlies, strong about the coast.
Highs: 6-10

#Update: Here's where the main Polar Blast lies as of right now. It's about halfway up the North Island.

Also, it's now sliding east of the lower South Island (so get your t-shirts out because today will be about +2 degrees warmer than yesterday in Southland!). pic.twitter.com/WJqeJz3WgJ

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) June 28, 2021

It's the North Island's turn for the #snow today, as the cold change finally impacts the north of #NewZealand.

Here's the snow map for the next 24 hours (powered by @IBM). Snow flurries as far north as the Gisborne ranges (probably a light dusting on the Waikato mountains too). pic.twitter.com/oMSRKCFRle

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) June 28, 2021

Both #Christchurch and #Queenstown have snow chances this morning. Accumulation will be very low – but may still impact roads here and there.

Snow forecast maps proudly powered by @IBMWatson pic.twitter.com/51emBTd3Zo

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) June 28, 2021