South Island temperatures plunge as frost hits several locations

Wednesday 5 August 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated Wed 5 Aug, 9:16am

In this story MetService

Temperatures dropped significantly across the South Island on Wednesday morning, with Aoraki/Mount Cook and Twizel reaching -9°C. Christchurch experienced its coldest night in five years, while snow and icy conditions caused several cars to slip off roads in the eastern South Island.

How they headlined it

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1. The PressWed 5 Aug, 4:00am

   South Island ice warning as Christchurch dips to minus 5°C (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsWed 5 Aug, 6:00am

   Icy windscreen holding up your morning? Here's how to sort it (opens in new tab)

3. StuffWed 5 Aug, 9:16am

   Three places hit -9C as the country woke to a bitterly cold morning (opens in new tab)