Desert Road reopens as wintry blast sweeps across country

State Highway 1 Desert Road has reopened between Rangipo and Waiouru after being closed earlier due to snow.

A wintry blast is sweeping across the country, bringing below-freezing temperatures.

NZTA says motorists should take extra care as winter driving conditions remain.

In the South Island, MetService says that Mount Cook plummeted to -8C overnight, Tekapo was -5C and Queenstown -4C.

MetService says there is a showery south to south-west flow over the entire country and the wind will keep temperatures cool with it likely to stay that way for the next few days.

Showers are forecast for the lower half of the South Island with temperature highs for Monday ranging from 9C to 13C.

The upper half of the island should be clear once the morning frost thaws with showers forecast for Kaikōura and Banks Peninsula but they should clear by midday. Temperature highs range from 10C to 12C in the upper South Island.

The lower North Island is mostly clear but there could be showers in Wellington and Masterton with temperature highs ranging from 8C to 12C.

Showers are still forecast on the east of the North Island but are forecast to clear on Monday evening with temperatures ranging from 9C to 14C on the East Coast and Bay of Plenty.

A fine day is forecast for the top of the North Island with temperatures ranging from 12C to 13C.