Parts of New Zealand awoke today to the coldest day so far this year.

Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch all had their coldest mornings at 4.5C, 2.9C and -2.8C.

The alpine village of Aoraki/Mt Cook is recording a temperature of -10C and locals say the area got as low as -13C overnight.

The forecast high there for Sunday is just 1C - New Zealand’s coldest town today.

MetService's map shows just how cold it is around the country this morning. Photo / Supplied

The resort town of Tekapo is among the coldest spots in the country Sunday morning at -6C, following days of snow and icy conditions that have closed roads and trapped visitors as State Highway 8 from Fairlie to Twizel remains closed because of snow and ice.

MetService meteorologist Surprise Mhlongo couldn’t confirm that it is New Zealand’s coldest day of the year so far - but told Newstalk ZB that it was “likely”.

“I’ll have to dig into some data for that,” said Mhlongo.

Tekapo residents woke to a dumping of snow this week. Photograph / George Heard

The polar blast has delivered fresh snow to the South Island’s ski fields with Mt Hutt reporting 90cm. Cardrona also had a fresh dumping ahead of its opening next weekend.

Queenstown, Wanaka and Invercargill were also sub-zero this morning, with rain moving north on the eastern side of the South Island.

Mhlongo says snow down to 300-400 metres was possible for Christchurch’s Port Hills and Banks Peninsula.

Further north, Blenheim also woke to severe frosts with -2C.

Taumarunui and Taupō dropped below zero this morning - the coolest in the North Island.

Wellington is under a heavy swell warning, while the Chatham Islands can expect strong winds.