Kiwis across the country had a frosty start this morning, with some areas recording -6C overnight as Transpower asked people to be “mindful” of their power use.
MetService meteorologist John Law told Breakfast it was a “cold start for many of us”.
He said the temperature was “about three degrees in Wellington” and Christchurch saw a low temperature of -6.3C overnight.
Law said Aucklanders woke to a temperature of just 4C.
“[In] Invercargill it is only around about 9C or 10C,” he said.
“I think we could well find its mainly frost today. We’re staying dry for the majority of us, but definitely a severe frost for some of those parts of Canterbury and Otago.”
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Transpower thanks Kiwis for reducing electricity use
Electricity grid operator Transpower had asked Kiwis to reduce their power use, warning the low temperatures could see power cuts occur if demand spiked too high between the hours of 7am and 9am.
It later said a grid emergency and the risk of power cuts had been avoided thanks to Kiwis reducing their power use and major industrial electricity users dialling back demand.
Transpower chief executive Alison Andrew said generators had also worked to make as much generation as possible.
Andrew said early indications were that efforts to conserve power reduced demand by around 260 megawatts from what Transpower had forecast — comparable to saving the typical electricity use of Hamilton City.
“It was colder than expected, so the response from Kiwis at home and our major industrial electricity users was essential to ensure that all New Zealanders had continuous access to power this morning,” she said. “We are grateful for your support through this challenging time.”
Andrew said there was no reason to expect any further need to conserve power today or this weekend.
What caused the frosty start?
Law said the temperatures were being caused a big area of high-pressure over the country over the last few days, with air coming up from the south.
“Plenty of clear skies and light winds means they’re the perfect conditions for any heat we get during the daytime just disappearing.”
“The good news over the next few days, it will hopefully get warmer as last night was the coldest it will be for most of us.”
He said there would be “plenty of sunshine and blue sky” during the day time.
“The end of next week things are looking a little bit better, a little bit warmer, but also a little bit wetter as well. But hopefully a return to some higher temperatures.”