Winter frosts and cold snaps 2025

The story so far

Frosty and foggy conditions spread across much of New Zealand in late July, with most places recording single-digit temperatures and cold weather expected through the week.^{21 Jul 2025} Temperatures fell below zero in early August, with Alexandra reaching -4.4C and Taupō and Timaru -3C on the morning of 2 August, and the South Island later dropping to -6.2C during a week of widespread frosts and cold southerlies.^{2, 11, 12 Aug 2025}

Key moments

1. 23 Jul 2025Otago schools delay start to 10am due to frost and black ice.
2. 2 Aug 2025Alexandra records -4.4C, with Taupō and Timaru at -3C.
3. 12 Aug 2025South Island temperatures drop as low as -6.2C; widespread frosts forecast.
4. 15 Aug 2025Fine weather gives way to rain and wind from Sunday to Tuesday.
5. 17 Aug 2025Snow forecast for South Island areas, possibly falling as low as 200m.
6. 19 Aug 2025Snowfall and road snow warnings issued for parts of the South Island.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.