Photo: 123rf
A pair of cold fronts sweeping the country have made for a cool start to Anzac Day, with some parts of the country likely to see frosts and their coldest morning of the year so far.
MetService meteorologist Jessie Owen said this was due to a strong southwesterly change which moved up the South Island on Sunday bringing showers, strong winds and colder air.
MetService said that Waiouru had the coldest start to the day in the North Island on -3C, while in the South Island the coldest place was Twizel at -4.1C.
A chilly start to Anzac day
— MetService (@MetService) April 24, 2023
Here are some of the coldest places this morning, many of them the coldest of the year so far pic.twitter.com/SV2x0ItwQ8
Following the chilly start, the weather for Anzac Day was looking relatively settled and temperatures should warm up into the mid-high teens.
It will be mainly fine in the North Island, with just some cloud and a light shower or two pushing into western areas in the afternoon.
The next cold front will bring rain to the west and south of the South Island, but eastern areas look to remain mainly fine with rain only making it as far north as Otago by the evening.
Westerly winds were expected to pick up in the South Island and eastern parts of the North Island with strong wind watches issued for Southland, Clutha, Canterbury High Country, Tasman, northern Wairarapa, and southern Hawke's Bay.
As well as cold temperatures, the southwesterly change has also caused a heavy southwesterly swell to bring large waves to coastlines.
People were advised to take extra care near the water over the next couple of days, especially for coastlines exposed to the southerly/southwesterly and also around high tide.
— MetService (@MetService) April 24, 2023
Large waves are in the mix until the end of Thursday for coastlines exposed to a southerly or southwesterly direction
If you'll be near the water, it's a good idea to check the marine forecast before heading out
See https://t.co/AlVlYME6X7 for details for your spot pic.twitter.com/73wXra6BZQ
