Southern motorists are being urged to watch out for icy roads tomorrow after the ''coldest night of the year'' tonight. The NZ Transport Agency put out the warning today, saying: “We are anticipating the coldest night of the year to date with very cold, widespread temperatures across Southland, Otago and parts of Canterbury. The predicted chill comes after a freezing night for some in the South Island, where temperatures dropped below 0degC in many places. In the lower North Island, temperatures dropped to -3.4C in Masterton, -3.5C on the Desert Rd, -2.3C in Upper Hutt and -1C in Martinborough. Recent snowfall over the lower South Island will be welcome news for those planning ski trips during the school holidays, "but it's a different story for the power bill" Griffiths said.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 05, 2017 03:45 UTC