Aucklanders will wake up to chilly conditions tomorrow as a wintry spell brings clear, cold conditions to most of the country.

MetService expects Auckland to start the day at 4C before rising to 13C as the sun comes out. Taupō is expected to dip below freezing, with a low of -3C to start the day and a high of 9C.

And Friday could be the coldest day of the year so far for parts of Northland.

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said as a low-pressure system moves further away from New Zealand, some places will see early morning frost and fog before clearer skies.

“The central parts of both islands are expected to be the cooler of the lot.

“Inland we are expecting those temperatures to be in the negatives so definitely rug up for Thursday morning,” Makgabutlane said.

A ridge of high pressure will start to build throughout Thursday, bringing more settled conditions. However, MetService said showers would persist throughout the day in eastern and lower parts of both islands.

In Auckland on Thursday, MetService forecasts a fine day with morning frost in sheltered places, accompanied by southeasterly winds throughout the day.

Wellington is predicted to have another day of strong southerly winds and showers, which would ease in the evening. A high of 9C is forecast, with a low of 5C.

Temperatures dipped below freezing this morning, with Blenheim recording -3.2C, marking its lowest temperature since May.

Meanwhile, a heavy swell warning for the Wairarapa from Turakirae Head to Mataikona lapsed at 5pm today.

“Heavy swells are expected with southwest combined waves rising to 6 metres Tuesday night, then easing Wednesday afternoon,” the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office said on its social media.

The office warned the swells could bring debris and surface flooding to roads, especially around high tide.

“We’ve still got those swell conditions and high wave conditions along the coastal areas but by Thursday morning things start to pull away and as Thursday goes on [it will be] a much calmer situation along those coastal areas,” Makgabutlane said.

The Interislander is set to resume on Thursday after heavy swells in Cook Strait cancelled all sailings from Tuesday night. Bluebridge also cancelled its 7.45am sailing to Wellington, and the 8.15am service to Picton on Wednesday.

Christchurch city will begin Thursday under showery conditions, which would clear in the morning to a fine day. It is tipped for a 10C high and a -4C low.

Over the rest of winter and beyond, forecaster Niwa’s three-month outlook has picked near or above-average temperatures in all regions – with fewer winter cold snaps and frosts than normal.